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F.     GUENON. 


GUEN  ON 

ON 

MILCH    COWS. 

A   TREATISE    UPON 

THE  BOVINE   SPECIES   IN   GENERAL. 

Tr.ANSLATED  FROM  THE  LAST   AND   ENLARGED  EDITION  OF   F,  6UENON. 

BY 

THOS.    J.    HAND. 

ILLUSTRATED. 


NEW    YORK: 

ORANGE    JUDD     COMPANY, 

751    BROADWAY. 
1883. 


n+ 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1882,  by  the 

ORANGE   JUDD   COMPANY, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washiiij^'ton. 


TRANSLATOR'S    PREFACE. 


The  Version  in  English  of  Guenon's  Treatise  through 
which  his  system  became  known  to  American  Breeders, 
Dairymen,  and  othei's,  was  Mr.  Trist's  translation,  made 
more  than  thirty  years  ago,  from  the  first  French  edition, 
published  long  before  the  Author  had  completed  his  ob- 
servations and  studies. 

To  its  incompleteness  and  consequent  defects  may  be 
attributed  much  of  the  lack  of  appreciation  with  which 
the  system  has  met.  For  its  fair  and  intelligent  discus- 
sion an  accurate  knowledge  of  its  Author's  mature  con- 
clusions is  requisite.  This  the  Translator  offers  as  his 
contribution. 

As  there  are  no  infalHble  external  signs  of  milk-giying 
capacity,  exceptions  will  be  met  with ;  but  as  Mr.  Mackie 
has  observed :  "A.  cow  having  originally  a  natural 
capacity  for  copious  milk-giving  may  by  some  cause,  per- 
haps altogether  unknown,  be  converted  at  an  early  age 
into  a  very  moderate  milker,  and  yet  retain  all  the  ex- 
ternal signs  of  good  dairy  quality.  The  head  may  remain 
small,  her  throat  clean,  her  neck  thin,  her  body  wedge- 
shaped,  her  tail  long  and  slender,  etc.,  etc.,  and  yet  the 
yield  of  her  udder  be  greatly  reduced  by  some  of  the 
causes  above  alluded  to,  whether  known  or  unknown. 
These  external  dairy-marks  are  not  discredited  on  ac- 


(^^-b   «-i-  ^ 


6  tkakslatoe's  prefacf. 

count  of  numerous  exceptions  to  their  reliability,  and 
the  same  is  true  of  the  escutcheon.  As  a  general  rule, 
cows  having  good  escutcheons  are  good  cows;  and  the 
reverse.  In  those  parts  of  Europe  where  cows  have  for 
generations  been  worked  under  the  yoke,  the  escutcheon 
has  almost  entirely  disappeared ;  whereas  in  the  dairy 
races,  like  the  Dutch,  the  Ayrshire,  the  Jersey,  and  the 
native  American,  the  escutcheon  is  generally  of  large  size 
in  all  good  milkers." 

If,  then,  Guenon's  system  will  but  enable  any  one  to 
know  at  sight  a  good  cow  from  a  bad  one,  and  to  select 
the  best  animals  out  of  a  herd;  and  esjDecially  if  it  enables 
one  to  choose  the  best  calves  and  young  heifers  without 
waiting  until  they  have  grown  up  to  maturity,  is  it  not 
of  great  value  ? 

The  frequent  repetitions  to  be  met  with  in  the  text  are 
to  be  explained  on  the  ground  that  the  book  is  intended 
for  reference  and  consultation,  and  therefore  the  Author 
has  given  the  necessary  information  at  every  point, 
v/ithout  presupposing  a  j^erfect  memory  on  the  reader's 
part  of  all  that  precedes. 

The  only  portions  of  the  original  work  that  have  been 
omitted  are  some  chapters  relating  to  certam  local  breeds 
in  France,  that  do  not  possess  interest  or  value  to  Ameri- 
can readers.  T.  J.  H. 

New  York. 


MILCH    CO^WS. 


THE  AUTHOR'S  ACCOUNT  OF  HIS  DISCOVERY. 

Error  seems  to  be  propagated  with  the  velocity  of 
light.  Every  obstacle  disappears  before  it,  and  everywhere 
it  is  welcomed.  Truth,  on  the  contrary,  is  usually  re- 
ceived with  indifference,  and  often  with  doubt,  mistrust, 
or  suspicion.  How  often  have  we  seen  the  originator 
of  a  discovery  which,  accepted  and  put  in  practice, 
would  augment  the  wealth,  and  increase  the  vv-ell-being 
of  a  community,  wrecked  upon  hatred,  ignorance,  and 
envy,  and  become  the  scorn  of  the  learned,  who  regard 
him  as  ignorant,  and  the  laughing-stock  of  fools,  who 
look  upon  him  as  a  lunatic.  Too  weak  to  struggle 
against  such  odds,  he  perishes  in  the  contest,  leaving  to 
his  opponents  the  glory  of  having — perhaps  for  ages  to 
come — buried  his  discovery  in  oblivion,  and  to  the  pub- 
lic, the  loss  of  an  unknown  advantage. 

If — happier  than  these  martyrs  of  new  ideas — I  had  at 
last  succeeded,  after  twelve  years  of  incessant  struggles, 
in  making  the  truth  of  my  discovery  obvious  to  all, 
nothing  would  then  remain  for  me  but  to  express  my 
gratitude  to  those  generous  friends  who  had  aided  me, 
and  to  leave  to  those  who  so  firmly  supported  and  en- 
couraged my  efforts,  the  care  of  popularizing  and  dis- 
seminating my  method. 

During  the  many  years  Avhich  have  passed  since  I 
gave  to  the  public  the  first  edition  of  my  "  Treatise  on 

m 

nl 


8  MILCH   COWS. 

Milch  Cows/'  men  of  science  and  practical  breeders  have 
given  it  great  attention.  AVhen  they  saw  its  application 
by  myself,  and  beheld  the  accurate  estimate  which  I  was 
able  to  make,  by  merely  looking  on  animals,  which  I 
then  beheld  for  the  first  time,  they  were  greatly  sur- 
prised, so  far  did  the  success  surpass  their  expectation. 
And  yet,  to  my  thinking,  there  is  nothing  in  the  fact 
which  science  can  not  explain. 

As  this  work  is  entirely  of  a  jDractical  character,  I 
have  thought  it  best  to  leave  to  anatomists  the  task  of 
furnishing  more  complete  details  of  the  nature  and  con- 
ditions of  the  milk-giving  organs  and  function.  These 
researches,  however  valuable,  are  not  essential  to  the 
farmer  or  breeder.  What  he  needs  is  to  be  able  to  judge 
an  animal  by  visible  external  signs.  There  are,  in  the 
vegetable  kingdom,  positive  signs  by  which  we  may  rec- 
ognize, even  at  the  time  of  planting  it,  the  vital  force 
of  a  tree,  the  form  and  savor  of  the  fruit  it  will  bear, 
the  epoch  of  its  maturity,  and  the  use  to  wiiich  it  may 
be  put  when  cut  down.  These  qualities  are  recognizable 
by  the  color  of  the  bark,  the  tints  and  specks  upon  the 
rind,  the  buds,  the  foliage,  etc.  And  so  it  is  in  the 
animal  kingdom,  but  especially  in  the  bovine  race. 

My  first  studies  were  in  arboriculture,  which  I  prac- 
tised with  my  father  for  several  years,  my  principal  oc- 
cupations being  the  trimming  of  trees,  grafting,  and 
budding.  In  studying  vegetables,  I  caught  the  idea 
and  an  insight  into  the  principle  of  classification.  Thus 
I  was  better  prepared  for  my  future  work  in  the  classifi- 
cation of  the  bovine  race,  a  work  which  no  one  had  even 
attempted,  either  theoretically  or  practically.  My  classi- 
fication by  characteristic  signs  includes  various  breeds, 
without  distinction  of  age  or  sex.  Although  these  signs 
have  always  existed,  they  have  heretofore  escaped  the 
observation  of  all,  even  of  the  most  distinguished  animal- 
painters,  and  of  the  most  eminent  veterinarians. 


My  method  is  destined  to  create  an  epoch,  for  it  attacks 
and  overthrows  the  old  prejudices  and  conventional  ideas 
which  have  been  in  force  hitherto.  It  opens  a  new  era 
to  an  art  in  its  infancy,  and  to  a  science  of  which  even 
the  first  principles  have  been  unknown — it  is  necessary, 
therefore,  that  I  set  it  forth  with  the  most  elaborate 
details.  The  present  edition  of  my  work,  enriched  by  a 
multitude  of  new  observations,  differs  largely  from  the 
first,  in  which  I  had  limited  myself  to  explaining  the 
characteristic  signs  of  milk-production.  In  this  new 
work  I  embrace  all  which  can  interest  and  instruct  the 
buyer  or  owner  of  cattle;  but  the  milk-product  is  still 
the  special  object  of  my  attention.  We  may  say  that 
the  Milch  Cow  is  the  principal  source  of  wealth  to  the 
agriculturist.  I  here  give  perfect  instructions  to  esti- 
mate its  worth,  to  classify  it,  pronounce  upon  the  value 
and  persistence  of  its  milking,  distinguish  with  exact- 
ness the  qualities  which  should  combine  in  a  faultless 
animal,  etc. 

I  have  shrunk  from  no  sacrifice  of  time,  labor,  and 
care,  to  complete  my  work.  In  a  subject  so  novel,  I 
could  have  no  master  but  myself,  and  no  book  but  Na- 
ture. As  I  advanced  in  knowledge,  difficulties  without 
number  arose  in  my  path,  and  it  has  only  been  by  great 
toil  and  close  thought  that  I  have  succeeded  in  overcom- 
ing them  and  reducing  my  ideas  to  lucid  order.  It  is 
not  a  treatise  of  natural  history  that  I  have  written,  but 
simply  the  results  of  my  innumerable  observations,  and 
in  stating  these  results,  I  use  the  ordinary  language  of 
daily  life,  believing  that  thus  I  shall  be  better  understood 
by  those  to  whom  I  address  myself,  and  who,  like  myself, 
are  unfamiliar  with  the  technicalities  of  science. 

Compelled  to  create  an  entirely  new  nomenclature,  and 
to  give  new  names  to  objects  heretofore  unknown  or  com- 
pletely neglected,  I  reasoned  thus  : 

If  my  mode  of  expression  is  clear  and  precise  enough 


10  MILCH   COWS. 

for  persons  of  little  information,  I  can  not  doubt  that  it 
■will  be  so  for  those  who  are  better  instructed,  and  in 
placing  my  method  thus  within  the  reach  of  all  grades  of 
intelligence,  I  shall  have  accomplished  the  object  which 
I  had  in  yiew.  This  method  of  mine  is  of  extreme  sim- 
plicity, and  whoever  shall  know  thoroughly  the  escutch- 
eons of  the  first  order  of  each  class,  will  be  able  to  form 
a  judgment  of  all. 

The  escutcheons  are  ten  in  number:  they  extend,  ac- 
cording to  the  class,  from  the  center  of  the  four  teats  to 
the  level  of  the  upper  extremity  of  the  vulva,*  and  in 
width  may  reach  from  the  middle  of  the  hinder  surface 
of  one  thigh  to  that  of  the  other.  According  to  their 
form  and  configuration,  the  escutcheons  distinguish  the 
ten  families  which  together  comjDOse  my  classification — 
this  is  the  simple  expression  of  a  system  which  has  been 
represented  as  so  complicated. 

A  special  figure  appended  to  each  class,  serves  to  desig- 
nate the  ^^ bastards."  Each  of  the  classes  or  families  is 
characterized  by  an  escutcheon  of  definite  form,  always 
preserving  that  form,  but  variable  in  its  superficial  di- 
mensions. This  surface  might  be  measured  by  square 
centimetres,!  but  that  would  be  too  complicated  for  prac- 
tical use,  as  it  is  modified  by  the  general  size  of  the 
animal.  In  my  system  it  is  measured  by  its  natural 
boundaries,  which  are  the  houghs,  the  inner  surface  of 
the  thighs,  and  the  vulva.  This  surface  of  the  escutch- 
eon, of  variable  extent,  allows  me  to  divide  each  class  or 
family  into  six  orders,  to  each  of  which  I  assign — taking 
also  the  size  of  the  animal  into  consideration — the  quan- 
tity, quality,  and  persistence  of  its  milk,  as  indicated  by 


*  The  portion  of  the  female  generative  organs  visible  externally. 

+  The  hundredth  part  of  a  metre,  the  French  standard  measure  of 
length.  It  is  about  two-fifths  of  an  inch,  or  accurately  .39371  of  an 
inch.  In  the  translation  its  equivalent  is  given  in  inches  and  decimal 
parts  of  an  inch. 


THE   author's   account  OF  HIS   DISCOVERY.         11 

the  characteristic  features.  The  escutcheon  of  the  first 
order  is  most  amply  developed,  and  its  indications  are 
therefore  the  best.  That  of  each  of  the  five  following 
orders  resembles  in  pattern  the  first,  but  on  a  reduced 
scale.     I  have  added  to  this  new  edition  : — 

1.  Two  new  classes,  subdivided  also  into  six  orders. 

2.  Two  varieties  of  escutcheons  having  certain  points 
of  similarity  with  the  others. 

3.  The  classification  of  bulls  intended  for  propagation. 
These    three  additions    complete  and   generalize  my 

system.  The  new  forms  of  escutcheons  were  known  to 
me  at  the  time  of  the  publication  of  my  first  edition, 
but  they  were  of  such  rare  occurrence  in  the  breeds 
which  I  had  then  studied,  that  I  thought  it  unnecessary 
to  introduce  them.  Since  that  time,  however,  I  have 
discovered  in  my  numerous  journeys  in  France  and 
abroad,  that  there  are  breeds  in  which  they  occur  more 
frequently,  and  I  have  therefore  assigned  them  their 
proper  places  in  my  classification.  As  for  the  two  new 
varieties  of  escutcheons,  they  are  added  as  a  sort  of  ap- 
pendix, and  show  the  results  of  crossings  between  two 
classes. 

In  the  first  edition  of  this  work  I  had  divided  each 
class  into  eight  orders.  These  I  still  retain;  but,  as  the 
seventh  and  eighth  are  of  rare  occurrence,  I  place  them 
by  themselves  outside  of  my  regular  classification,  which 
I  thus  simplify.  After  fully  describing  and  classifying 
the  ^^free"  cows  (those  whose  milk  continues  after  a 
new  impregnation),  I  pass  to  the  bastards,  or  those  which, 
while  perfectly  resembling  the  others  in  form  and  color, 
have  the  essential  difference  that  they  lose  their  milk  as 
soon  as  they  are  again  with  calf.  The  signs  by  which 
these  bastards  may  be  distinguished,  I  have  indicated 
with  the  utmost  precision. 

After  the  bastards,  follows  a  chapter  on  bulls.  In 
this  I  have  reduced  the  orders  to  three: — good,  medium, 


12  zvriLCH  cows. 

and  bad— these  terms  liaying  reference  to  the  ability  of 
the  animal  to  beget  a  progeny  of  good  milking  qualities. 
The  same  signs,  with  certain  modifications,  which  in 
the  cow  denote  a  good  milker,  in  the  bull  denote  the 
capacity  to  beget  good  milkers. 

Although  the  classification  has  special  reference  to  the 
milking  or  reproductive  qualities  of  the  animal,  yet  it  is 
important  to  take  iuto  consideration  all  those  other  qual- 
ities which  it  may  possess,  and  should  possess,  to  be  of  a 
faultless  organization.  In  all  the  breeds,  cows  of  the 
first  and  second  orders  of  each  class,  will  give  a  greater 
quantity  of  milk  than  cows  of  the  lower  orders,  under 
similar  circumstances.  To  know  the  absolute  milk  pro- 
duction of  any  cow,  it  is  necessary  to  know  v\-hat  is  the 
usual  food  of  cattle  in  the  region  to  which  it  belongs, 
and  this  known,  by  following  the  indications  of  the  es- 
cutcheon, tbe  daily  yield  of  any  cow  of  that  locality  can 
be  closely  estimated. 

A  cow,  to  give  her  maximum  of  milk,  should  be  neither 
too  fat  nor  too  lean.  If  the  cow  be  lean  and  under-fed 
at  the  time  of  calving,  her  yield  of  milk  will  be  impaired, 
and  though  more  generous  diet  may  restore  her  strength, 
she  will  not  recover  her  full  flow  of  milk  until  a  second 
calviDg. 

A  large  milker,  however  disposed  to  fatten,  and  how- 
ever fat  she  may  be  at  the  time  of  calving,  becomes  lean 
fifteen  or  twenty  days  after  the  birth  of  her  calf.  The 
periods  of  rutting  are  also  further  apart  with  her  than 
with  poor  milkers,  as  her  vital  powers  are  more  enfeebled 
by  the  hesLXj  strain  upon  them. 

A  milch  cow  may  be  compared  to  a  fruit  tree,  which 
bears  more  fruit  some  years  than  others.  When  the  sap 
tends  strongly  to  the  production  of  fruit,  the  growth  of 
the  wood  is  almost  stationary.  When,  on  the  contrary, 
the  tree  bears  but  little  fruit,  the  sap  tends  to  the  increase 
of  the  wood,  and  then,  after  a  longer  or  shorter  rest,  the 


THE   author's   account   OF   HIS   DISCOVEET.         13 

production  of  fruit  is  increased.  In  the  same  way  it  is 
seldom  that  a  cow  keeps  the  same  yield  for  three  consecu- 
tive years;  her  food  sometimes  tending  to  increase  her 
bulk  and  fat,  at  the  expense  of  the  milk,  and  at  other 
times  going  almost  entirely  to  the  milk  i)roduction. 
These  variations  may  depend  upon  differences  of  the 
seasons,  and  their  effect  upon  the  plants  and  herbage  up- 
on which  the  cows  feed. 

Cows  reared  in  fine  pastures  will  exceed  the  product 
which  I  have  assigned  to  their  class  and  order,  while 
those  in  poor  or  marshy  pastures  will  fall  short  of  it,  un- 
less the  deficiency  be  supplied  by  generous  feeding  in  the 
stable.  The  effect  of  these  differences  is  so  great,  that 
cows  which,  in  rich  pastures,  or  abundantly  fed,  will  give 
from  20  to  25  litres  of  milk  daily,  transported  to  poor 
pastures  will  have  their  yield  diminished  one-half. 

My  readers  will  therefore  understand  that  m  the  esti- 
mates of  my  classification,  I  do  not  pretend  to  give  rig- 
orous and  absolute  figures,  but  only  an  approximate 
quantity  for  each  class  and  order,  founded  on  an  average 
of  various  breeds  and  localities.  I  will  also  mention  here, 
that  in  the  approximate  weight  which  I  assign  to  animals 
in  that  part  of  my  work  which  treats  of  the  fattening 
of  beeves,  etc.,  I  follow  the  usual  custom,  and  refer  to 
the  carcass,  cleared  of  head,  feet,  hide,  intestines,  etc. 
In  estimating  the  weight  on  the  hoof,  the  figures  would 
be  greatly  increased,  sometimes  even  doubled. 

The  significance  of  the  escutcheon,  or  figures  formed 
by  a  reversal  of  the  direction  of  the  hair,  has  hitherto  es- 
caped all  observers,  even  those  most  interested  in  know- 
ing it.  Indeed,  the  effect  produced  by  this  change  of 
direction,  is  not  glaringly  conspicuous:  it  is  a  mere  dif- 
ference of  shade  or  lustre,  between  the  escutcheon,  and 
the  hair  surrounding  it.  The  hair  of  the  escutcheon  is 
shorter,  finer,  softer  and  more  silky,  and  at  the  first 
glance  appears  as  if  freshly  shaven. 


14  MILCH   COWS. 

All  animals  of  the  bovine  race,  domesticated  or  wild, 
are  marked  with  an  escutcheon  of  some  form,  and  this 
characteristic  sign  is  transmitted  from  parent  to  offspring. 

I  have  taken  no  account  of  that  part  of  the  escutcheon 
which  lies  under  the  belly  towards  the  navel,  the  part 
lying  on  the  udder  and  between  the  haunches,  which  is 
always  visible  when  the  animal  is  standing,  being  suffi- 
cient for  all  purposes.  But  to  see  the  escutcheons  in  all 
the  development  which  is  given  them  in  my  figures,  the 
udder  of  the  animal  must  be  thoroughly  distended  with 
milk,  so  that  the  hind  legs  are  widely  separated.  In 
this  way  the  escutcheon  is  shown  as  if  the  skin  were 
stretched  out  on  a  flat  surface,  and  all  the  parts  exposed 
which  are  hidden  in  the  folds  of  the  udder  and  thighs. 

To  get  a  perfect  view  of  the  escutcheon,  the  observer 
should  stand  behind  the  animal  and  make  it  take  several 
steps  forward,  that  the  movement  may  bring  all  the  parts 
successively  into  view.  We  may  also,  by  brushing 
the  hair  downwards  with  the  hand,  bring  out  more 
directly  its  form  and  dimensions. 

Though  my  method  may  seem  to  be  complicated  at 
first,  it  really  is  not  so,  it  can  be  mastered  with  little 
trouble.  Its  whole  nomenclature  consists  of  three  terms, 
and  its  whole  mystery  in  recognizing  the  forms  which 
these  terms  designate.  These  terms  are  ^'escutcheons," 
^'ascending  feathers,"  and  '^^ descending  feathers,"  and 
when  the  student  know^s  thoroughly  these  signs  and 
their  significance,  he  understands  my  method  as  well  as 
I  do  myself. 

The  feathers,  as  will  be  seen,  share  with  the  form  of 
the  escutcheon  in  distinguishing  the  orders,  they  multiply 
the  subdivisions,  and  seem  to  render  my  system  more 
complicated;  but  as  they  have  incontestable  and  impor- 
tant value,  I  could  not  omit  them. 

If  on  certain  animals,  the  form  and  size  of  the  charac- 
teristic signs  should  not  seem  to  correspond  exactly  with 


THE   author's   account   OF   HIS   DISCOVERY.  15 

any  of  my  figures,  but  to  be  intermediate,  as  it  were,  be- 
t7/een  two  classes,  the  observer  should  note  the  class  and 
order  to  which  they  approach  most  nearly,  and  from  that 
make  a  probable  estimate. 

Beauty  of  form  represents  to  me  only  an  ideality,  and 
though  it  deserves  to  be  considered,  it  is  only  as  an  ac- 
cessory, and  of  no  value  in  estimating  the  yield  of  milk. 
I  have,  however,  not  neglected  to  treat  of  those  features 
which  characterize  a  regular  and  beautiful  form.  I  also 
speak  of  the  mode  of  recognizing  the  age  of  an  animal  by 
the  teeth  and  by  the  horns. 

May  this  work,  the  fruit  of  my  life's  experience,  justify 
the  honor  which  has  been  done  me  by  the  numerous  agri- 
cultural societies  who  have  conferred  membership  upon 
me,  and  by  the  government,  which  has  borne  part  of  the 
expense  of  this  edition,  with  the  two-fold  object  of  en- 
couraging me  in  my  work,  and  of  facilitating  the  dis- 
semination of  my  method. 


BOOK     I 


CHAPTER    I. 

ScMMART.— The  bovine  race.— The  bovine  species  in  general. —Bastards. 
—Utility  of  the  method,  and  the  characteristic  signs  on  which  it 
depends.  — Color  of  animals. — Influence  of  climate.— Purchase  of 
Cows  and  Heifers. — Importance  of  avoiding  injudicious  crossings. 
— Form  of  the  animal  does  not  necessarily  influence  the  yield  of 
milk.— Conformation  of  Bulls.— Conformation  of  Cows. 


THE    BOVINE    RACE. 

In  this  race  of  animals  the  farmer  finds  his  most  valu- 
able resources.  In  many  countries  the  cow  is  man's 
assistant  in  the  labors  of  the  field;  while  everywhere, 
among  rich  and  poor,  milk  forms  a  staple  article  of  food, 
and  of  all  domesticated  creatures,  she  is  to-day  the  most 
indispensable  to  the  human  race.  Many  naturalists  have 
left  us  valuable  treatises  on  this  race  of  animals,  and 
especially  on  the  milch  cow;  but  all  their  writings 
abound  in  anatomical  and  physiological  descriptions. 
They  have,  it  is  true,  enriched  science  with  useful  infor- 
mation and  with  original  theories,  but  down  to  the  pres- 
ent time  they  have  not  revealed  to  us  the  specific  charac- 
teristics of  those  cows  which  are  good  milkers.  They 
have  confined  themselves  to  sundry  vague  and  often 
erroneous  indications;  my  system  has  never  been  even 
suspected  by  them,  and  for  this  reason  my  method  is  as 
novel  in  its  principles  as  in  their  application. 

THE    BOVINE    SPECIES    IN    GENERAL. 

Before  entering  upon  particular  descriptions,  it  will  be 
as  well  to  glance  at  horned  cattle  in  general,  adding  cer- 
(16) 


THE   BOVINE   RACE.  17 

tain  new  observations  upon  the  production  of  milk, 
which  is  the  main  object  to  which  my  method  is  directed. 
Although  scientific  writers  are  unanimous  in  admitting 
that  the  good  or  evil  qualities  of  each  parent  affect  the 
offspring,  this  essential  point  has  been  too  much  neg- 
lected in  the  practice  of  farmers  and  breeders,  who,  for 
the  most  part,  are  not  sufficiently  enlightened  to  discern 
their  true  interests.  While  they  aim  at  preserving  herds 
pure,  and  improving  them,  they  exercise  no  proper  care 
m  pairing  the  males  and  females,  giving  a  cow  of  one 
class*  to  a  bull  of  another,  from  which  union  results  a 
hybrid  offspring,  more  or  less  inferior  to  its  parents. 

My  experiments,  prolonged  through  a  period  of  more 
than  thirty-five  years,  have  proved  that  from  the  union 
of  a  bull  of  large  size  and  of  the  first  order,  with  a  cow 
of  less  size  and  lower  order,  there  results  an  offspring 
stronger  and  of  higher  order  than  the  mother;  while  if 
the  superiority  be  in  the  cow,  the  calf  will  be  inferior 
to  her  in  milking  qualities.  Thus  a  bull  of  the  first 
order  in  any  class,  joined  with  a  cow  of  an  inferior  order, 
will  produce  an  offspring  superior  to  the  mother,  and 
this  superiority  of  the  offspring  will  always  occur,  in 
every  class,  when  the  parents  have  been  chosen  from  the 
first  order  of  that  class.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  parents 
are  chosen  from  different  orders  and  classes,  the  result- 
ing progeny  most  frequently  will  belong  to  neither  the 
class  of  the  sire  nor  that  of  the  dam.  In  this  way  arises 
the  phenomenon  of  bastardy,  which  rapidly  brings  about 
the  degeneration  of  the  breed. 

BASTARDS. 

Every  class  has  its  bastards,  that  is  to  say,  individuals 
which,  while  they  resemble  the  higher  orders  of  their 
classes,  differ  from  them  in  milking  qualities,  and  it  is 

*  What  the  author  means  by  the  terms  class  and  order,  will  be  ex- 
plained further  on. — Tr. 


18  MILCH   COWS. 

this  resemblance  which  leads  imperfect  judges  into  con- 
tinual errors.  * 

OF    THE    UTILITY    OF    THE    METHOD,    AND    THE     CHARAC- 
TERISTIC   SIGNS   ON    WHICH   IT   IS    FOUNDED. 

It  is  therefore  a  matter  of  essential  importance  that 
cows  shall  be  served  by  none  but  bulls  of  good  quality. 
But  how  are  these  to  be  distinguished?  To  this  my 
method  gives  the  answer.  The  characteristic  signs  are 
the  same  with  males  as  with  females.  It  is  true  that  in 
the  former  they  are  less  developed;  but  by  giving  the 
necessary  attention  and  consulting  the  figures  which  il- 
lustrate my  classification,  they  can  easily  be  recognized. 
These  characteristic  signs,  in  all  the  classes  and  all  the 
orders,  are  external;  they  are  quite  independent  of  the 
color  of  the  hair  or  the  figure  of  the  animal.  These  lat- 
ter features  have  nothing  to  do  with  my  classification, 
and  I  only  use  them  to  a  limited  extent  as  indications  of 
the  probable  origin  of  a  certain  type  or  individual,  of 
the  country  to  which  it  belongs  and  the  place  of  its  birth. 

It  is  certainly  a  great  point  gained  to  be  able  to  distin- 
guish at  sight  between  a  good  and  a  bad  cow;  to  estimate 
the  average  yield  of  animals  of  different  nature  under 
the  same  system  of  feeding  and  care;  but  my  discoA^ery 
goes  farther  than  this.  My  method  may  be  applied  to 
the  youngest  calf,  and  by  the  indications  of  the  escutch- 
eon alone  the  future  milking  qualities  of  the  animal  may 
be  predicted.  In  fact,  these  indications  are  more  dis- 
tinct on  the  young  calf  than  on  the  adult  cow,  the 
qualities  to  which  they  owe  their  origin  being  inherent 
in  the  constitution  of  the  animal.  It  comes  into  the 
world  with  the  signs  of  its  good  or  bad  nature  distinctly 
marked  upon  it,  easily  distinguishable  by  even  an  indif- 
ferent judge,  at  the  very  day  of  its  birth. 

*  The  signs  by  which  bastards  may  be  recognized  are  given  at  the  end 
cf  each  class. 


THE   BOVIKE   KACE.  19 

At  birth  the  hair  of  the  escutcheon  is  downy,  and  at 
the  margins  of  contact  with  the  surrounding  skin,  it  is 
long  and  silivj.  A  few  days  after  birth  its  figure  is  not 
so  plain  as  at  the  age  of  six  weeks  or  two  months,  be- 
cause at  this  time  the  downy  or  velvety  hair  falls  off, 
leaving  the  escutcheon  naked.  From  the  period  of  birth 
the  escutcheon  develops  and  enlarges  with  the  growth  of 
the  body;  it  enables  us  at  all  times  to  form  a  judgment 
of  the  animal,  whether  male  or  female,  and  serves  as  a 
certain  indication  of  its  future  value.  Every  animal  is 
so  marked,  and  long  experience  has  shown  that  on  the 
foetus  of  seven  and  a  half  or  eight  months — at  which 
time  the  skin  is  smooth — it  is  more  conspicuous  than  in 
the  caK  at  full  term,  when  the  hair  is  long  and  silky, 
and  sometimes  inclined  to  bristle. 

Breeders  may  now,  by  this  guide,  easily  separate  good 
from  inferior  animals;  may  distinguish  those  which  are 
fittest  for  fattening,  and  reserve  for  dairy  purposes  those 
cows  which  will  give  the  largest  jield  of  milk  and  but- 
ter. In  the  cities,  I  trust,  we  shall  have  no  fraudulent 
adulterations;  but  the  public  will  be  supplied  with  an 
abundance  of  pure  milk,  and  infants  will  no  longer  be 
fed  upon  a  thin  or  unwholesome  liquid  which  poisons 
the  young  life  which  it  is  meant  to  nourish.  The  more 
abundant  any  product  is,  the  better  is  its  quality.  If 
the  production  of  milk  be  doubled  or  trii3led,  that  of 
butter  will  increase  in  a  like  proportion,  and  economy 
and  public  health  will  both  be  the  gainers. 

In  what  I  have  stated  there  is  no  exaggeration.  Sim- 
ple as  my  method  is,  it  is  really  of  an  importance  which 
it  is  not  easy  to  over-estimate. 

OF    THE    COLOK   OF    CATTLE. 

As  a  general  rule,  each  country  has  its  peculiar  color; 
thus  in  whole  provinces  one  sees  nothing  but  red  cows 


20  MILCH   COWS. 

of  Tarious  shades;  in  others,  black;  in  others  again, 
white,  black  and  white,  red  and  white,  and  so  forth. 
The  qualities  of  the  cow,  therefore,  bear  no  relation  to 
the  color  of  the  hair. 

INFLUENCE    OF    CLIMATE. 

Among  the  causes  which  lead  to  the  degeneration  of 
our  breeds  of  cattle,  must  be  reckoned  the  influences  of 
climate  and  feeding,  for  although,  as  a  general  thing, 
the  inferior  breeds  are  more  widely  distributed  than  the 
good,  there  are  yet  districts  where  good  breeds  are  pre- 
dominant, as  for  instance,  Flanders,  Normandy,  Brit- 
tany, AuYcrgne,  and  others. 

Cows  and  heifers  of  good  milking-breeds,  transported 
to  other  countries,  preserve  their  original  qualities  dur- 
ing hfe;  but  if  these  cows  are  crossed  with  the  bulls  of 
the  country,  the  offspring  is  inferior  to  the  mother, 
either  in  size  or  in  milking  qualities.  So  the  owner  who 
wishes  to  have  none  but  the  best  milkers,  is  obliged  to 
recruit  his  stock  continually  from  abroad. 

OF    THE    PURCHASE    OF    COWS    AND    HEIFERS. 

In  Prance,  cows  and  heifers  are  constantly  transported 
from  one  province  to  another,  but  bulls  rarely,  and  yet 
the  reproduction  of  the  good  qualities  of  the  females,  de- 
pends entirely  on  these.  From  this  neglect  come  unsuit- 
able crosses,  which  always  yield  a  degenerate   offspring. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  there  are  breeds  of 
superior  milkers,  which,  with  escutcheons  of  similar 
form  and  extent,  give  a  far  larger  yield  to  the  pail.  But 
this  peld  will  always  bear  a  relation  to  the  fineness  of 
the  hair  and  the  color  of  the  skin,  even  when  the  animals 
are  living  in  a  country  foreign  to  that  of  their  origin,  as 
they  still  preserve  their  original  t3rpe,  and  do  not  lose 


THE   BOVIKE   RACE,  21 

their  specific  qualities.  Hence  in  all  places  and  among 
all  breeds,  the  first  and  second  orders  of  each  class  are 
those  which  have  the  highest  yalue,  and  which  must  al- 
ways be  preferred. 

NECESSITY    OF    AVOIDING    INJUDICIOUS    CROSSES. 

It  is  not  in  the  power  of  either  the  farmer  or  the  stock- 
raiser  to  change  the  climate  of  his  district,  but  at  least 
he  has  the  means  of  preventing  the  deterioration  of  his 
breeds,  in  a  Judicious  system  of  crossing;  and  in  this,  by 
the  use  of  my  method,  he  is  secured  from  a  multitude  of 
errors. 

How  frequently  does  it  happen,  that  animals  selected 
for  supposed  good  qualities,  and  carefully  raised,  turn  out 
worthless,  while  those  have  been  sent  to  the  butcher, 
which  would  richly  have  repaid  all  their  owner's  care, 
had  he  known  how  to  distinguish  them.  And  the  infe- 
rior cows  are  too  often  crossed  with  still  worse  bulls,  so 
that  the  degeneration  is  accelerated  rather  than  resisted, 
to  the  disappointment  and  heavy  loss  of  the  owner. 

On  what  principles  of  selection  have  breeders  hitherto 
proceeded?  They  are  guided  by  form  for  the  most  part, 
and  judge  of  the  future  offspring  by  the  size,  the  build, 
the  origin  of  one  or  the  other  parents.  Yet  experience 
shows  that  these  signs  are  often  deceptive,  and  we  see 
cows  which  present  the  noblest  appearance,  large  size, 
and  perfect  figure,  wanting  nothing,  in  fact,  except — 
milk. 

FORM    OF    BULLS. 

Though  I  have  said  that  the  form  of  the  animal  has 
no  value  in  determining  the  quantity  of  milk,  yet  I  recog- 
nize the  fact  that  those  bulls  will  best  fulfill  the  wishes  of 
the  breeder,  which  are  well  proportioned,  the  sides  well 
rounded  out,  the  flanks  narrow,  the  neck  massive,  the 


22  MILCH   COWS. 

head  short  and  square,  the  ears  hairy  inside,  which  is  a 
mark  of  strength  and  spirit;  the  horns  short,  and  of 
medium  thickness. 

FORM    OF    cows. 

These  should  be  of  good  shape  and  proportion,  the  head 
small  and  square,  eyes  large  and  bright,  shoulders  nar- 
row, back  level,  rump  well  formed,  haunches  wide, 
thighs  round,  the  udder  not  too  long,  round,  elastic,  and 
covered  with  silky  down. 

I  have  noticed  that  in  general,  those  cows  which  have 
four  equal  teats,  and  those  which  have  six  (four  equal 
and  two  smaller  ones  which  usually  yield  no  milk,)  be- 
long especially  to  the  higher  orders  of  their  class,  and 
that  those  of  inferior  orders,  have  usually  four  teats,  with 
one  false  nipple. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    UDDER    AND    LACTIFEROUS    VESSELS. 

Summary.— The  uselessness  of  anatomical  knowledge  in  distinguishing 
milking  qualities. — The  udder.— The  cutaneous  veins.— The 
milk  veins. 

THE   USELESSNESS   OF  ANATOMICAL  KNOWLEDGE  IN  DIS- 
TINGUISHING MILKING   QUALITIES. 

In  a  practical  treatise  on  cows,  having  special  reference 
to  their  milking  qualities,  the  milk-giving  organs  can  be 
considered  only  with  reference  to  their  external  appear- 
ance. All  other  details  would  be  useless  to  the  practical 
breeder. 

In  two  cows  of  the  same  breed,  of  similar  size  and 
equal  weight,  the  mammary  glands  may  exliibit  the  same 
bulk,  while  they  are  far  from  possessing  the  same  capacity, 
the  difference  being  caused  by  the  greater  or  less  diversity 
of  the  tissue  of  which  they  are  composed. 

An  udder  may  be  large  and  apparently  distended 
with  milk,  while  in  reality  its  bulk  is  due  to  a  mass  of 
spongy  tissue,  and  the  yield  of  milk  will  bear  no  propor- 
tion to  the  volume  of  the  bag.  We  must  look  elsewhere 
for  the  signs  which  are  to  guide  us. 

THE     UDDER. 

This  organ  is  composed  of  the  mammary  glands,  and 
the  sac  which  contains  them.  The  glands  themselves 
should  be  elastic  to  pressure,  and  the  skin  thin,  flexible, 
and  covered  with  a  fine,  silky  down,  mounting  to  the 
upper  limit  of  the  sac,  and  extending  below  towards  the 
navel. 

(23) 


24  MILCH   COWS. 

The  udder  is  furnished  with  four  teats,  each  of  which 
drains  its  special  reservoir  into  which  the  glands  empty 
their  secretions.  Each  of  these  reservoirs  contains  a  quan- 
tity of  milk  proportioned  to  its  capacity.  Although 
the  four  reservoirs  are  closely  connected,  there  is  no 
communication  between  them,  as  they  are  partitioned  off 
from  each  other  by  thin,  but  quite  impervious  membranes. 
For  this  reason  a  cow  can  not  be  thoroughly  milked  by 
one  or  even  two  teats,  but  all  must  be  drawn  to  empty 
the  udder. 

A  normal  udder  should  give  an  equal  quantity  of  milk 
from  each  teat.  The  teats  themselves  should  be  regular 
in  form,  and  stand  from  eight  to  ten  centimetres  (about 
3  to  4  in.)  apart  when  the  udder  is  full. 

The  udder  of  a  cow  of  high  order,  has,  as  a  rule,  but 
four  teats,  though  occasionally  we  find  two  false  teats 
which  yield  no  milk.  They  are  smaller  than  the  proper 
teats,  and  are  placed  behind  and  a  little  above  the  hinder 
pair.  On  some  cows  four  false  teats  are  found,  symmet- 
rically placed,  and  very  short  and  small.  The  false  teats 
are  the  rudiments  of  aborted  real  teats. 

Cows  of  the  same  breed  often  present  considerable  dif- 
ferences in  the  form  of  the  udder,  some  having  it  round, 
others  long  and  pendant,  others  again,  oblong  and  com- 
pressed, or  narrowed  in  at  the  middle,  while  there  are 
cows  whose  udders  resemble  that  of  the  goat.  In  some 
the  teats  are  very  close  together,  or  the  front  teats  are 
longer  and  thicker  than  those  behind,  Avhile  in  others 
the  hinder  teats  are  the  most  developed.  Any  irregular- 
ity in  the  teats  must  be  looked  on  as  a  deformity  of 
greater  or  less  importance,  detracting  from  the  value  of 
the  animal. 

A  perfect  udder  should  be  of  round  and  regular  form, 
and  of  volume  sufficient  to  extend  beyond  the  thighs  of 
the  animal,  nearly  as  much  behind  as  before. 

Those  teats  which  are  shorter  than  the  others,  denote 

M  r 


THE    UDDER   Ai^D    LACTIFEROUS   VESSELS.  25 

some  interual  alteration,  native  or  acquired,  in  the  teat 
so  dwarfed. 

CUTANEOUS    VEINS. 

By  these  I  mean  those  veins  on  the  udder  which  are 
seen  lying  just  under  the  skin.  Upon  very  plump  udders 
they  are  particularly  conspicuous,  and  when  the  cow  is 
in  full  flow  of  milk,  they  branch  in  all  directions  to  the 
very  top  of  the  udder.  When  the  animal  is  very  lean, 
they  may  be  discerned  near  the  vulva,  but  they  can 
rarely  be  seen  there  if  the  cow  is  in  good  condition.  On 
heifers  or  dry  cows  they  are  not  apparent. 


TBLE    MILK-VEINS. 

These  have  their  origin  in  the  mammary  glands,  and 
run  along  the  lower  part  of  the  flank,  they  extend  to  a 
greater  or  less  distance  beyond  the  navel,  with  various 
meanderings,  and  end  near  the  forelegs,  their  extremities 
terminating  in  two  cavities  commonly  called  ^''fountains," 
the  orifice  of  which  is  large  enough  to  admit  the  tip  of 
the  finger.  In  the  higher  orders  of  certain  breeds  these 
veins  end  in  a  net-work  of  branches.  Their  extremities 
are  forked,  one  branch  being  shorter  and  thicker  than 
the  other. 

In  some  orders  the  extremities  of  these  veins  are  about 
ten  centimetres  (4  in.)  apart,  and  the  calibre  of  the 
longer  vessel  is  less  than  that  of  the  other.  In  the  lower 
orders  these  vessels  run  straight,  without  sudden  and 
irregular  undulations,  along  each  side  of  the  belly;  they 
are  not  bifurcated,  and  the  pit  in  which  they  are  lost  is 
smaller  and  shallower  than  in  the  higher  orders.  These 
veins  are  more  distinct  in  some  cows  than  in  others  of 
equal  milking  qualities.  Those  writers  are  therefore 
wrong  who  attach  a  high  importance  to  the  size  and 
2 


26  MILCH   COWS. 

arrangement  of  these  veins  as  certain  indications  of  a 
good  or  bad  milker.  I  have  seen  many  cows  in  which 
these  veins  were  far  from  distinct,  which  were  reputed 
the  best  milkers  of  the  neighborhood;  while  others, 
which  had  them  highly  developed,  either  gave  but  little 
milk  or  soon  went  dry.  I  do  not,  of  course,  assert  that 
the  indications  of  these  milk-veins  have  no  value  at  all. 
I  merely  wish  to  impress  the  fact  that  we  expose  our- 
selves to  great  errors  if  we  take  them  as  our  sole  guide 
in  judging  the  quality  of  a  cow.  We  often  find  bastard 
cows  with  milk-veins  finely  developed,  and  giving  a  large 
yield  of  milk,  but  which  become  dry  as  soon  as  they  are 
pregnant.  I  may  mention  here  that  the  milk-veins  do 
not  attain  their  full  development  until  the  cow  is  five  or 
six  years  old,  and  that  they  are  but  lightly  marked  on 
heifers  not  with  calf. 

I  shall  now  proceed  to  demonstrate  that  the  escutcheon 
is  the  only  indication  that  can  be  relied  upon  with  confi- 
dence at  all  periods  of  the  animal's  life,  to  show  its  milk- 
giving  qualities  with  as  much  certainty  as  if  we  had 
tested  them  by  years  of  observation. 


CHAPTEE    III. 


THE    ESCUTCHEONS. 


Summary.— Escutcheons.— Their  number.— What  the  Escutcheon  is. — 
Its  indication.— Variations  and  precautions. 

ESCUTCHEONS. 

In  former  times  men  had  for  their  sole  guides  in  deter- 
mining the  qualities  of  a  cow,  certain  vague  physical 
signs  and  marks,  distributed  over  various  parts  of  the 
animal,  and  giving  indications  of  a  very  uncertain  char- 
acter. The  choice  of  milch  cattle,  therefore,  was  very 
hazardous,  and  the  most  skillful  judges,  when  they  saw 
the  certain  application  of  my  method,  frankly  admitted 
its  superiority. 

The  pretended  signs  of  abundant,  persistent,  and  rich 
milk,  are  not  only  doubtful,  but  they  only  appear  after 
the  first  calving.  A  young  animal  must  therefore  be 
kept  three  or  four  years  before  its  milking  qualities  can 
be  known,  and  the  choice  of  heifers  for  the  dairy  has 
hitherto  been  scarcely  more  than  a  matter  of  chance,  so 
that  it  constantly  happens  that  the  inferior  animals  are 
preserved,  and  those  that  would  turn  out  good  milkers 
are  sent  to  the  butcher. 

I  affirm  with  confidence  that  with  a  thorough  know- 
ledge of  my  method,  any  one  can  distinguish  with  abso- 
lute certainty,  during  all  periods  of  the  animal's  life, 
those  cows  which  will  give  the  most  milk,  and  continue 
to  yield  it  the  longest  after  another  pregnancy  has  begun. 
He  can  even  predict  the  quality  of  the  milk,  its  richness 
or  poorness  in  butter,  etc. 
(37) 


28  MILCH   COWS. 

The  distinctive  signs  on  which  my  method  is  founded 
are  called  Escutcheons  and  Feathers  (epts).*  They  exist 
and  may  be  seen  on  every  animal  of  the  bovine  species, 
without  exception.  They  are  situated  on  the  hinder 
part  of  the  animal,  but  can  not  be  perfectly  distinguished 
unless  the  animal  walks  a  few  paces,  as  the  movement  of 
walking  exhibits  the  lower  part,  which  cannot  be  per- 
fectly seen  when  it  is  at  rest.  These  signs  distinguish 
the  classes,  or  families,  which  differ  from  each  other  in 
the  form  of  the  escutcheon. 

I  have  not  drawn  upon  the  Greek  or  Latin  language 
for  the  names  which  I  have  given  to  these  escutcheons, 
preferring  to  use  entirely  conventional  terms,  which,  how- 
ever, have  a  certain  relation  to  the  forms  they  represent. 

NUMBER    OF    ESCUTCHEONS. 

From  years  of  careful  research,  and  innumerable  ob- 
servations on  all  breeds  of  cattle,  foreign  as  well  as 
French,  I  have  determined  that  there  are  ten  principal 
forms  of  escutcheons,  each  of  which  is  easily  distinguished 
from  the  others. 

THE   ESCUTCHEON. 

The  surface  of  the  escutcheon  is  distinguished  by  its 
upward-growing  hair,  which  takes  a  direction  opposite 
to  that  wdiicli  covers  the  other  parts  of  the  skin.  The 
hair  of  the  escutcheon  is  also  distinguished  by  its  tint, 
which  is  duller  than  that  of  the  other  hair.  The  escutch- 
eon starts  from  the  middle  of  the  four  teats,  a  part  of 
its  hair  extending  forward  under  the  belly,  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  navel,  while  the  other  part,  beginning  a  little 
above  the  houghs,  spreads  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the 
hinder  surface  of  the  tliighs,  ascending  on  the  udder, 

"Upis  means  an  ear  of  wheat.  1  have  chosen  "  Feather  "  as  the  best 
single  word  in  English  to  represent  the  form  of  this  mark.— Tr. 


THE  ESCUTCHEOlirS.  29 

and  in  some  classes  running  up  as  high  as  the  top  of 
the  vulva. 

The  form  or  pattern  of  the  escutcheon  indicates  the 
class  to  which  the  animal  belongs,  while  the  extent  of 
surface  covered  by  it  denotes  the  milk-giving  capacity. 
This  extent,  varying  in  a  decreasing  proportion,  gives 
rise  to  several  orders,  in  which  I  range  the  members  of 
each  class.  The  fineness  of  the  hair  of  the  escutcheon, 
and  the  color  of  its  skin,  indicate  the  quantity  and 
quality  of  the  milk. 

In  all  the  classes  and  orders  the  escutcheon  is  the  sole 
indicator  of  the  internal  capacity  of  the  udder,  so  that 
if  the  escutcheon  is  large,  we  can  pronounce  without 
hesitation  that  the  internal  reservoir  is  large,  and  the 
yield  of  milk  will  be  abundant;  while  if  the  escutcheon 
be  small,  the  reservoir  is  small,  and  the  yield  of  milk 
will  be  small.  Hence  those  cows  which  have  a  large 
escutcheon,  composed  of  fine  hair,  are  the  best  milkers, 
especially  if  the  skin,  from  the  inner  joining  of  the 
thighs  to  the  vulva,  is  of  a  yellowish  color,  and  if  on 
scratching  it  with  the  nail. we  can  detach  little  scales  of 
a  fatty  substance.  Those  animals  in  which  this  latter 
characteristic  is  found  in  the  skin  of  the  switch  and  of 
the  inside  of  the  ear,  yield  a  milk  very  rich  in  butter, 
whatever  be  the  quantity,  and  whatever  be  the  class  or 
order  to  which  they  belong. 

Cows  which  have  the  skin  of  the  escutcheon  sleek, 
white,  and  covered  with  long,  sparse  hairs,  will  give  a 
thin,  serous  milk;  while  those  whose  udder  is  covered 
with  an  escutcheon  of  short  furry  hair,  will  give  good 
and  rich  milk. 

VAKIATIONS   AND   PRECAUTIONS. 

The  indications  of  the  escutcheon  are  often  modified, 
favorably  or  unfavorably,  by  various  feathers  which  are 
pretty  generally  met  with,  whose  value  may  be  judged 


30  MILCH  COWS. 

by  their  form,  their  character,  their  situation,  and  their 
size.  Except  the  Oval  feathers,  all  those  which  encroach 
upon  the  escutcheon,  lessen,  in  greater  or  less  degree,  its 
favorable  indications. 

I  must  also  call  special  attention  to  a  kind  of  feather 
formed  of  upward-growing  hair,  which,  by  its  significa- 
tion, has  a  certain  likeness  to  the  escutcheon;  it  is  situ- 
ated on  the  right  and  left  of  the  vulva,  and  its  impor- 
tance varies  according  to  its  size  and  figure.  This 
feather,  as  will  be  seen,  serves  to  distinguish  * '  free  cows  " 
{yaclies  f randies,  i.  e.,  persistent  milkers,)  from  bastards. 

By  the  crossing  of  classes  the  patterns  of  escutcheons 
and  of  feathers  are  variously  modified,  as  Nature  is 
always  producing  new  differences.  Crossing  either  im- 
proves or  impairs  the  breed,  and  its  effects  influence  the 
milk- giving  and  the  reproductive  functions.  When  the 
pattern  of  the  escutcheon  is  true  and  well-defined,  the 
animal  always  belongs  to  the  first  or  second  order  of  its 
class.  But  when  the  escutcheon  is  invaded  by  certain 
feathers  in  a  portion  of  its  surface,  the  animal  stands  one 
or  more  orders  lower  in  its  class. 

When  the  escutcheon  is  wider  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  vulva  than  in  its  middle  part,  we  must  let  the  widen- 
ing count  against  the  narrowing,  and  obtaining  thus  an 
average  width,  class  the  animal  in  the  order  which  near- 
est approaches  its  form  and  extent. 

All  variations  in  the  hair  of  the  escutcheon  are  feath- 
ers, constituting  an  irregularity,  and  indicating  internal 
peculiarities  which  have  their  influence  upon  the  secre- 
tion of  milk,  and  bear  relations  to  the  extent  of  surface 
of  the  feathers. 

In  general,  when  we  see  in  an  escutcheon  a  feather 
situated  to  the  right  or  left  of  the  thigh,  we  may  know 
that  there  is  an  alteration  in  the  milk-vein  situated  below 
it,  and  by  feeling  these  vessels  we  shall  discover  that  the 
one  on  the  side  where  the  feather  encroaches  on  the 


THE  ESCUTCHEON^S.  31 

escutcheon,  is  smaller,  and  terminates  in  a  smaller  cavity 
than  the  other  yessel,  which  can  easily  be  yerified  by  in- 
troducing the  tip  of  the  finger. 

When  a  cow  has  reached  the  full  term  of  gestation,  a 
few  days  before  calving,  the  escutcheon  and  the  feathers 
enlarge  and  expand  like  a  flower  about  to  open.  The 
milk-yessels  now  enlarge,  and  are  in  a  state  to  give  the 
maximum  of  milk  a  few  days  after  calving,  but  the 
escutcheons  and  feathers  soon  contract,  and  assume  the 
size  which  they  will  retain  until  the  next  calving.  It  has 
been  noticed  that  those  escutcheons  and  feathers  which 
have  a  bristling  surface  (herisses)  attain,  just  before 
calving,  extraordinary  size,  often  greater  by  one-third 
than  the  ordinary  or  normal  dimensions. 

We  must  therefore  be  careful  not  to  judge  of  the  yield 
of  milk  by  the  dimensions  which  the  escutcheon  assumes 
at  this  period,  as  it  would  lead  us  to  false  conclusions. 
This  great  increase  in  size  is  due  to  the  functional  excite- 
ment of  the  mJlk-vessels,  and  the  engorgement  of  the 
mammary  glands;  it  is  more  marked  in  some  cows  than 
others,  and  is  always  less  in  the  lower  orders. 

The  characteristic  signs  are  indicated  by  letters  in  the 
classification  which  I  shall  presently  give,  in  which  all 
the  classes  and  orders  are  represented  with  their  escutch- 
eons and  feathers,  drawn  from  nature,  and  with  their 
distinguishing  variations  of  form  and  extent. 

Though  there  is  no  difiiculty  in  discerning  the  escutch- 
eons and  feathers  on  animals  of  any  age  and  in  any  con- 
dition, yet  they  are  more  conspicuous  on  fat  animals 
than  on  lean  ones.  When  they  are  thickly  covered  with 
fine  velvety  down,  it  is  not  so  easy  to  determine  their 
precise  outline  without  close  inspection.  This  character- 
istic, however,  is  a  favorable  mark. 

It  sometimes  happens,  especially  in  the  case  of  the 
offspring  of  parents  of  different  classes,  that  two  forms 
of  escutcheon  modify  or  interpenetrate  each  other.    The 


32  MILCH   COWS. 

primitive  type  then  disappears,  and  the  determination 
becomes  more  difficult:  we  must  seek  in  the  two  classes 
to  which  the  parents  belong,  the  orders  to  which  the 
mixed  escutcheon  approaches  most  nearly  in  form  and 
dimensions,  and  in  this  way  we  can  arrive  at  an  approxi- 
mate estimate. 

If  we  find  an  escutcheon  whose  size  indicates  a  cow  of 
the  first  order,  and  this  escutcheon  is  accompanied  by 
one  or  more  feathers  of  upward-growing  or  downward- 
growing  hair,  like  those  which  distinguish  the  bastards, 
as  this  indicates  a  certain  degeneration,  the  quantity  of 
milk  may  remain  the  same,  but  its  i^ersistence  will  be 
lessened.  According  to  the  nature  of  these  feathers,  we 
may  have  to  go  one  or  more  orders  lower  in  the  class  to 
determine  how  long  the  cow  will  continue  to  give  milk 
during  her  next  pregnancy. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  an  escutcheon  of  small  dimen- 
sions or  lower  order  has  the  feathers  and  the  fineness  of 
hair  which  characterize  cows  of  superior  quality  or  higher 
order,  the  qaantity  of  milk  will  not  be  increased,  but  it 
will  continue  longer  during  pregnancy,  and  in  this  re- 
spect the  cow^  of  lower  order  apj^roaches  in  value  an 
animal  of  higher  order. 

General  Rule. — When  the  marks  of  an  inferior 
order  are  superimposed  on  those  of  a  superior,  they  indi- 
cate a  real  degeneration;  when,  on  the  contrary,  the 
signs  designating  a  sui^erior  order  are  added  to  those 
characterizing  an  inferior,  they  announce  a  decided 
improvement. 

Those  marks  or  notches  in  the  escutcheon,  in  which 
its  ascending  is  replaced  by  descending  hair,  are  always 
the  indication  of  a  deterioration  proportioned  to  the  size 
of  these  notches,  and  in  this  case  we  must  rank  the  cow 
one  or  more  orders  lower  in  her  class  to  estimate  her 
real  value.  The  same  remark  applies  to  breaks  in  the 
feathers,  caused  by  a  reversal  of  the  hair,  and  we  must 


THE  ESCUTCHEO^S'S.  33 

take  them  into  account,  as  they  have  a  marked  reference 
to  the  quantity  and  persistence  of  the  milk. 

Each  of  the  ten  escutcheons  which  I  distinguish,  repre- 
sents a  class  or  family.  The  first  class  I  term  "Flan- 
drine."  Second, ''Left-hand Flandrine."  Third, ''Sel- 
vedge." Fourth,  "Curveline."  Fifth,  "Bicorn."  Sixth, 
''Double-Selvedge."  Seventh,  "Demijohn."  Eighth, 
"Square."  Ninth,  "Limousine."  Tenth,  "Carre- 
sine." 


CHAPTER     IV. 


THE  FEATHERS. 


Summary.— The  Feathers.— Nomenclature.— Oval  Feather.— Buttock 
Feather.— Babine  Feather.— Vulvous  Feather.- Bastard  Feather.— 
Thigh  Feather.— Dart  Feather. 

THE    FEATHERS. 

These  are  of  two  kinds:  those  of  upward-growing 
hair,  which  I  call  ^'^ ascending  feathers."  and  those  of 
downward-growing  hair,  which  I  call  ^^  descending." 
The  ascending  feathers  are  mere  traces  in  the  form  of 
furrows,  cutting  through  the  descending  hair;  they 
form  figures  more  or  less  elongated  and  developed,  to  the 
right  and  left  of  the  vulva,  and  below  it.  The  descend- 
ing feathers  form  designs  on  the  ascending  hair  of  the 
escutcheon,  they  have  various  forms,  and  especially  the 
Oval.  They  are  mostly  situated  at  the  lower  part  of  the 
udder,  a  little  above  the  hinder  teats. 

Each  of  these  feathers,  shai'ply  drawn  by  nature,  has, 
in  the  form  and  direction  of  its  hair,  a  well-defined  value 
and  significance. 

The  feathers  are  seven  in  number,  of  which  five  are 
on  the  escutcheon,  and  two  outside  of  it.  Their  signifi- 
cance and  importance  vary  with  their  extent,  the  posi- 
tion which  they  occupy,  and  the  direction  of  their  hair. 
I  had  marked  these  signs  in  the  figures  of  my  first  classi- 
fication, but  had  not  then  given  them  any  denomination. 
Now  I  have  distinguished  them  by  names. 

As  I  have  said  above,  they  are  seven  in  number,  1,  the 
"Oval  feather."  2,  the  ^^ Buttock  feather."  3,  the  "Ba- 
(34) 


THE   FEATHEES. 


35 


bine  feather."  4,  the  ^'Vulvous  feather."  5,  the  "Bas- 
tard feather."  6,  the  ^^  Thigh  feather."  7,  the  "Daj-t 
feather." 

The  normal  position  of  these  feathers,  as  of  the  es- 
cutcheon, is  on  the  hinder  part  of  the  animal,  either  on 
one  side,  or  between  the  milk  producing  organs,  and 
those  of  generation. 

No.    1.— OVAL    FEATHER. 


This  feather  is  in  the  escutcheon,  on  each  side  of  the 
hinder  part  of  the  udder,  a  little  above  the  two  hinder 
teats;  it  has  an  oval  form;  its  hair,  fine  and  '^descend- 


5m 


J 


V. 


THE  FEATHEES. 


ing,"  is  distinguished  by  its  tint,  and  a  whiter  lustre 
than  that  of  the  escutcheon,  which  is  '*  ascending." 
This  feather,  of  greater  or  less  extent,  may  be  found  in 
any  of  the  classes  or  orders. 

In  determining  the  quantity  of  milk,  this  feather  is  of 
but  little  importance.  Some  breeds  have  the  character- 
istics of  the  first  orders,  without  the  Oval  feather,  and 
are  none  the  less  excellent  milkers.  But  as  a  general 
rule,  it  is  seldom  that  cows  of  the  higher  orders  are 
without  it. 

If  these  feathers  are  small,  regular  in  form,  and  com- 
posed of  very  fine  hair,   they  are  usually  an  excellent 


36  MILCH   COWS. 

sign,  but  if  large,  of  irregular  shape,  and  of  long  and 
coarse  hair,  they  are  a  mark  of  inferior  quality. 

No.  2.— BUTTOCK  FEATHER. 

This  feather  is  outside  of  the  escutcheon,  on  the  but- 
tock of  the  animal,  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  vulva,  to 
which  it  adheres  a  little  at  the  top.  Its  hair  is  ascending, 
and  its  proportions  are  usually  from  five  to  seven  centi- 
metres (2  to  3  in.)  in  length,  by  a  centimetre  (A  in.)  in 
breadth. 

When  the  ^^  Buttock  feather  "does  not  exceed  these 
proportions,  and  is  covered  with  a  fine  silky  hair,  it  indi- 
cates the  continuance  of  milk  during  pregnancy.  When 
it  is  larger,  and  covered  with  coarse  and  bristling 
hair,  it  is  not  only  a  mark  of  inferiority,  but  indicates 
the  cessation  of  the  milk-flow  at  an  earlier  or  later  period 
of  gestation.  These  feathers  are  found  on  all  classes  ex- 
cept the  first,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  figures  illustrating 
my  classification. 

No.    3.-BABINE     FEATHER. 

This  feather  is  rarely  met  with  except  in  the  first  two 
classes.  Its  place  is  on  the  escutcheon,  where  it  forms  a 
vertical  streak  below  the  vulva,  to  the  right  or  left,  but 
most  frequently  to  the  left,  adhering  to  the  vulva  by  its 
upper  extremity.  It  is  often  found  on  both  sides  at 
once.  It  is  formed  of  descending  hair,  and  is  distin- 
guished by  a  more  shining,  or  whiter  tint  than  the  as- 
cending hair  of  the  escutcheon.  Its  form  is  elongated, 
and  its  dimensions  are  variable,  but  usually  from  four  to 
five  centimetres  (1.5  to  2  in.)  in  length,  and  five  to  six 
millimetres  (0.2  to  0.3  in.)  in  breadth. 

The  presence  of  this  feather  is  a  mark  of  degeneration. 
It  indicates  a  falling-off  of  milk  before  and  during  preg 


THE   FEATHERS.  37 

nancy,  and  this  falling-off  will  be  greater  in  proportion 
to  the  size  of  the  feather,  and  the  coarseness  of  its  hair. 


No.    4.— VULVOUS   FEATHER. 

This  is  only  found  in  the  first  class.  It  is  situated  in 
the  escutcheon,  just  beneath  the  vulva,  the  lower  part  of 
which  it  encloses.  Its  form,  is  usually  round  at  the 
lower  part,  but  sometimes  forked.  Its  dimensions  are 
two  centimetres  (0.8  in.)  in  length,  by  three  (1.2  in.)  in 
breadth.  Its  hair  is  descending,  and  it  may  be  distin- 
guished at  some  distance  by  its  whitish  gloss.  It  indi- 
cates a  yield  of  milk  less  than  the  normal  quantity,  es- 
pecially when  it  is  of  larger  dimensions  than  those  given, 
and  when  its  hair  is  coarse  and  sparse. 

No.    5.— BASTARD    FEATHER. 

The  Bastard  feather  presents  the  form  of  an  egg.  Its 
surface  is  about  ten  centimetres  (4  in. )  in  length,  by  five 
to  eight  (2  to  3  in. )  in  breadth.  Its  place  is  in  the  es- 
cutcheon, about  twenty  centimetres  below  the  vulva.  Its 
descending  hair  has  a  whiter  gloss  than  that  of  the  es- 
cutcheon around  it,  which  is  usually  of  a  somewhat  rosy 
tint. 

This  feather  is  found  only  in  the  first  class  (Flandrine,) 
and  denotes  a  decided  falling-off  of  milk  within  a  few 
days  after  impregnation.  This  falling-off  is  less  con- 
siderable when  the  Bastard  feather  is  small,  narrow,  and 
covered  with  finer  hair,  but  it  surely  occurs  as  the  ani- 
mal advances  in  pregnancy.     [See  cut  on  page  50.] 

No.    6.— THIGH    FEATHER. 

This  is  usually  found  on  the  interior  surface  of  the 
lowe*r  part  of  the  thigh.     It  encroaches  on  the  escutcheon; 


38  MILCH   COWS. 

its  descending  hair  forming  a  re-entering  angle,  the  point 
of  which,  sharp  or  round,  extends  upon  the  udder.  It 
is  sometimes  seen  on  both  thighs,  in  which  case  its  form 
is  not  always  regular,  but  its  most  usual  j^lace  is  on  the 
right  thigh  only. 

This  feather  has  a  whiter  gloss  than  the  ascending  hair 
of  the  escutcheon.  It  indicates  a  defect  in  the  secretion 
of  the  mammary  glands,  and  a  diminution  of  milk  pro- 
portioned to  its  size.  It  is  found  in  all  the  classes  and 
orders.  As  it  encroaches  upon  the  escutcheon,  it  dimin- 
ishes the  surface  of  the  latter  in  a  certain  proportion,  of 
which  account  must  be  taken  in  estimating  the  yield  of 
the  cow,  as  it  is  equivalent  to  a  descent  of  one  or  more 
orders. 

No.  7.— DART    FEATHER. 

This  feather  is  distinguished  by  ascending  hair  of  a 
soft  and  silky  texture.  It  resembles  a  dart  or  arrow, 
with  the  point  downward.  It  starts  at  about  ten  centi- 
metres (4  in.)  above  the  escutcheon,  and  reaches  up  to 
the  vulva,  to  whicli  it  is  attached  by  a  vertical  line  along 
the  juncture  of  the  buttocks.  Its  gi-eatest  breadth,  at  the 
orifice  of  the  vulva,  is  about  2  centimetres  (0.8  in.). 

This  feather,  which  indicates  the  quantity  and  the 
persistence  of  the  milk,  is  but  rarely  met  with,  and  only 
in  those  classes  in  which  the  escutcheon  does  not  extend 
to  the  vulva.  It  is  represented  in  a  figure  placed  outside 
of  the  classification. 

Having  now  explained  the  escutcheons  and  the  feath- 
ers, that  is,  all  of  the  signs  which  indicate  milk-giving 
qualities,  I  pass  to  the  general  classification.  This  is  the 
practical  part  of  my  method,  and  I  have  done  my  best 
to  make  it  clear  and  precise,  that  all  may  find  it  easy  to 
apply  it. 


CHAPTER    V. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

Summary.— Introduction.— Class  of  Flandrines.— Bastards  of  this  class. 
— Left-hand  Flandrines. — Bastards. — Selvedge  class. — Bastards. — 
Curveline  class. — Bastards. — Bicorn  class. — Bastards. — Double- 
Selvedge  class. — Bastards. — Demijohn  class. — Bastards.— Square 
class. — Bastards. — Limousine  class. — Bastards. — Carresine  class. — 
Bastards.— Synoptic  table  of  milk  product.— Escutcheons  omit- 
ted in  the  classification,  forming  the  seventh  and  eighth  orders 
of  each  class.— Two  crossed  escutcheons. 

INTRODUCTION. 

In  studying  the  classification  laid  down  in  this  chapter, 
the  reader  will  observe  that  animals  of  the  same  breed 
and  orders  give  nearly  the  same  amount  of  milk,  to 
whatever  class  they  belong.  But  we  must,  of  course,  take 
into  account  the  size  of  the  animal,  whether  large,  me- 
dium, or  small,  and  of  its  weight. 

Nature  herself  has  established  the  escutcheons;  what 
I  have  done  is  to  discover  their  signification  and  their 
value.  I  have  divided  them  into  classes  and  orders  cor- 
responding to  their  figure  and  dimensions.  Had  I  not 
proceeded  in  this  manner,  the  application  of  my  method 
would  have  been  very  difficult.  The  reader  would  have 
been  confused  by  the  multiplicity  of  forms,  and  the  rela- 
tions of  size  would  have  escaped  notice,  or  given  very 
uncertain  results.  But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind,  once 
for  all,  that  in  numbering  the  classes,  first,  second,  etc., 
I  do  not  mean  thereby  to  indicate  their  relative  degrees 
of  merit,  though  it  is  true  that  in  point  of  yield  of  milk 
there  is  some  difference.  The  Flandrines,  for  examj)le, 
as  a  class,  seem  to  take  the  lead;  yet  this  difference  is  too 
slight  to  justify  our  undervaluing  the  other  classes.  All 
cows  of  the  first  order,  to  whatever  class  they  belong, 
may  be  considered  as  about  equal  in  quality. 

In  a  word,  the  essential  point,  in  reference  both  to  the 
(39) 


40  MILCH   COWS. 

yield  of  milk  and  to  the  reproduction,  is  the  surface- 
extent  of  the  escutcheon.  But  this  extent  can  not  be 
appreciated  with  sufficient  exactness,  unless  we  take  into 
account  the  form  of  the  escutcheon,  co-ordinate  it  with 
similar  forms,  and  separate  it  from  the  dissimilar. 
For  this  reason  my  classification  is  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  proper  application  of  my  system.  In  breeding, 
the  distinction  of  classes  is  of  still  more  importance,  as 
there  is  always  an  advantage  in  pairing  those  animals 
which  have  the  same  pattern  of  escutcheon. 

I  might  have  been  asked  to  fix  some  positive  measure 
of  the  surface  of  the  escutcheon,  but  this  I  have  not  at- 
tempted, nor  would  it  have  been  possible,  as  this  surface 
continually  varies  with  the  size,  and  the  fatness  or  lean- 
ness of  the  animal.  But  in  carefully  designating,  as  I 
have  done,  the  distances  from  the  outside  of  the  thighs, 
the  houghs,  the  vulva,  etc.,  to  which  the  margins  of  the 
escutcheon  should  reach — fixing  thus  the  limits  of  its 
extreme  points — I  give  the  means  of  distinguishing  with 
precision  the  order  of  each. 

Those  who  desire  to  avoid  all  mistakes,  must  do  exactly 
as  I  do:  that  is,  must  descend  regularly  from  order  to 
order  of  my  classification,  if  they  neglect  the  established 
orders,  and  think  it  unnecessary  to  follow  the  regular 
gradation,  they  will  soon  find  themselves  deceived. 

In  this  new  edition  of  my  work,  cows  are  divided  into 
ten  classes  or  families,  and  each  class  with  six  orders. 
The  figures  of  each  order  comprise  the  three  degrees  of 
size  or  stature  of  each  animal.  The  difference  of  size 
does  not  in  any  way  increase  the  number  of  orders,  or  of 
classes,  for  the  form  of  escutcheon  is  the  same  on  a 
large  animal  as  a  small  one,  but  it  will  readily  be  con- 
ceived that  a  cow  of  large  bulk  will  give  more  milk, 
other  things  being  equal,  and  have  greater  weight  than  a 
small  one.  If  I  have  made  the  distinction,  it  is  only 
with  reference  to  the  yield  and  the  weight,  and  does  not 


CLASSIIICATION".  41 

affect  tlie  difference  of  the  orders.  Upon  mature  reflec- 
tion I  have  determined,  for  the  sake  of  simplicity,  to  re- 
move from  my  classification  the  last  two  orders  of  each 
class.  I  do  this  because  cows  of  these  two  orders  are 
rarely  met  with;  but  in  order  that  my  work  may  be  com- 
plete, I  place  the  figures  of  these  orders  as  an  appendix 
to  my  regular  classification,  where  they  may  be  found  by 
any  one  who  may  chance  to  meet  with  animals  so  marked. 

Each  class,  therefore,  consists  of  six  "'free"  (or  le- 
gitimate) orders.  The  bastards  of  each  class  are  figured 
after  the  orders  of  their  class,  and  may  be  recognized  by 
their  characteristic  feathers.  Their  escutcheons  being 
the  same  as  those  of  ''free"  cows,  I  might  have  avoided 
the  repetition,  but  as  my  object  is  to  fix  the  forms  firmly 
in  the  memory,  I  prefer  repeating  them  to  leaving  any 
chance  of  misunderstanding. 

And  now  I  repeat,  finally,  to  impress  it  on  the  mem- 
ory, that  all  cows  of  every  description,  ''free,"  or  bas- 
tard, and  all  bulls,  whatever  their  size,  belong  to  one  or 
other  of  the  orders  of  my  ten  classes  or  families.  Each  class 
has  its  peculiar  escutcheon,  and  this  form  is  found,  with 
simple  modifications  of  size,  in  all  the  orders  of  the  class. 

The  classes  or  families  of  my  classification,  distin- 
guished by  their  escutcheons,  are  as  follows: 

First  Class Elandrine. 

Second  Class Left-hand  Elandrine. 

Third  Class Selvedge. 

Fourth  Class  .....  Curveline. 

Fifth  Class Bicorn. 

Sixth  Class Double  Selvedge. 

Seventh  Class   ....  Demijohn. 

Eighth  Class Square. 

Ninth  Class Limousine. 

Tenth  Class Carresine. 

To  give  greater  clearness  to  this  work,  I  have  illus- 


42  MILCH   COWS. 

trated  it  with  figures,  by  the  aid  of  which  it  will  be  easy 
to  recognize  the  class,  the  order,  and  the  value  of  each 
cow,  and  consequently  to  estimate  the  quantity  of  its 
daily  yield,  and  the  length  of  time  its  full  flow  of  milk 
will  continue  after  pregnancy. 

Frequent  experiments  have  shown  that  the  quantity 
and  persistence  do  not  always  exactly  correspond  with 
the  indications,  for  the  reason  that  differences  of  climate, 
of  feeding,  and  of  the  season,  necessarily  have  more  or 
less  favorable  or  unfavorable  influence.  But  in  all  cases, 
the  cows  of  the  first  orders  are  the  best  and  most  pro- 
ductive, and  the  yield  of  milk  diminishes  in  a  regular 
degree  from  the  highest  order  to  the  lowest.  Cows  of 
the  seventh  and  eighth  orders,  which  I  have  placed 
outside  of  my  classification,  yield  scarcely  any  milk 
at  all. 

Before  entering  upon  a  minute  description  of  each 
class,  I  will  recall  what  has  before  been  said,  that  every 
class  has  its  bastards;  that  is  to  say,  cows  which,  al- 
though exactly  resembling  the  others  in  form,  size,  and 
color,  differ  from  them  in  their  }deld  of  milk.  This  re- 
semblance gives  rise  to  many  errors.  It  is  therefore  of 
great  importance  to  know  the  characteristic  marks  by 
which  the  bastards  of  each  class  can  be  recognized. 

I  have  given  the  name  of  bastards  to  those  cows  which, 
on  becoming  again  impregnated,  lose  their  milk  imme- 
diately, or  in  a  short  time.  They  are  found  in  all  classes 
and  orders:  sometimes  they  are  copious  milkers,  and 
their  sudden  loss  of  milk  after  impregnation,  has  been 
referred  to  various  causes,  none  of  which  is  correct. 
This  loss  is  in  no  wise  dependent  upon  the  will  of  the 
animal,  as  many  persons  suppose,  but  is  an  inborn  pecu- 
liarity of  its  constitution.  The  feathers,  or  characteristic 
marks  by  which  bastards  may  be  distinguished  in  all  the 
classes  and  orders,  are  described  and  figured  in  their 
proper  places. 


CLASSIFICATIOK.  43 

As  a  general  rule,  these  bastards  are  very  fertile,  con- 
ceiving at  the  first  service  of  the  bull,  and  if  at  this  time 
the  bastard  is  suckling  a  calf,  it  often  happens  that 
she  can  not  supply  milk  enough  for  its  nourishment. 
This  must  be  looked  to,  and  the  calf  promptly  weaned, 
or  suckled  by  another  cow.  In  other  respects,  such  as 
richness  or  poorness,  abundance  or  deficiency  of  milk, 
the  bastards  vary,  as  do  the  free  cows  of  the  different 
classes  and  orders. 

Cows  in  general  give  their  maximum  of  milk  in  the 
eight  days  immediately  after  calving,  but  the  milk  dur- 
ing this  period  is  not  suited  for  human  consumption. 
After  this  time  there  is  some  diminution  in  its  flow,  and 
the  normal  quantity  being  established,  is  maintained  un- 
til a  new  impregnation,  after  which  the  flow  diminishes 
in  all  the  classes  and  orders,  but  more  or  less  according 
to  the  class  and  order,  as  will  be  explained  more  fully. 

As  I  have  said,  in  my  introduction,  the  development 
which  I  have  given  to  the  escutcheons  in  the  engraved 
figures,  results  from  my  representing  them  as  so  many 
plane  surfaces,  as  if  spread  out  flat.  In  this  way  only 
could  the  full  extent  be  shown;  as  it  is  never  shown 
fully  in  the  animal  at  rest,  and  even  when  the  cow  is 
walking,  though  that  movement  exhibits  it  more  fuUy, 
it  still  is  not  entirely  displayed. 

FIRST    CLASS. -FLA  NDRINES. 

The  reader  has  already  been  informed  that  my  termin- 
ology is  by  no  means  scientific  or  etymological,  the  names 
I  have  chosen  for  my  classes  are  purely  arbitrary.  I  have 
called  the  cows  of  the  first  class,  which  comprises  the 
best  animals  in  our  provinces,  Flandrines,  because  the 
Flanders  breed  of  cows,  remarkable  for  its  excellent 
qualities,  usually  possesses  the  signs  of  this  class.  The 
Flandrines  are  the  most  abundant  milkers  of  all,  they 


44  MILCH   COWS. 

are  found  in  all  breeds,  but  are  of  rare  occurrence  in 
some  of  our  provinces.  Every  order  of  this  class,  as  of 
the  others,  has  certain  particular  differences  in  the  gen- 
eral characters  of  the  class,  and  gives  a  yield  varying 
according  to  the  degrees  which  I  shall  indicate.  I  call 
large  cows,  those  which  weigh  from  three  hundred  to 
three  hundred  and  fifty  kilogrammes  (say  700  to  800 
lbs.).  Medium  cows,  those  weighing  from  two  hundred 
to  two  hundred  and  fifty  kilogrammes  (say  450  to  550 
lbs.).  Small  cows,  those  weighing  from  one  hundred 
to  one  hundred  and  fifty  kilogrammes  (say  225  to  325  lbs.). 

LARGE    cows. 

First  Order. — Cows  of  the  first  order  of  Flandrines, 
of  large  size,  give,  when  in  full  flow  of  milk,  twenty- 
four  litres  (25  quarts)  daily,  up  to  the  time  of  a  new  im- 
pregnation. From  that  time  there  is  a  gradual  diminu- 
tion; but  they  continue  milking  throughout  the  whole 
period  of  their  pregnancy,  and  if  constantly  milked, 
will  never  go  dry.  This,  however,  should  not  be  done, 
as  it  is  important  that  they  should  have  a  rest  of  a  month 
or  six  weeks  before  calving.  Cows  of  this  order,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  characteristic  form  of  the  escutcheon,  have  a 
fine  elastic  udder,  covered  with  a  light  down,  which, 
starting  from  the  middle  of  the  four  teats,  ascends  up 
the  whole  surface  of  the  hind  part  of  the  animal.  This 
ascending  hair  also  extends  upon  the  inner  side  of  the 
thighs,  just  above  the  houghs,  and  expands  to  right  and 
left  to  the  points  marked  a,  a,  narrowing  in  again  as  it 
ascends  to  the  points  h,  h,  each  of  which  is  about  ten 
centimetres  (4  in.)  from  the  corresponding  side  of 
the  vulva.  They  usually  have  above  the  two  hinder 
teats  two  small  Oval  feathers  of  descending  hair,  marked 
e,  e,  each  of  which  is  about  three  centimetres  (1.2  in.) 
wide,  and  eight  or  nine  (3.2  or  3.6  in.)  long.     These 


CLASSIFICATION^.  45 

feathers  are  distinguished  by  a  whiter-colored  hair  than 
that  of  the  escutcheon.  The  first  order  of  this  class 
has,  moreover,  the  inside  and  lower  part  of  the  thighs 
of  a  yellowish  or  nankeen  color,  speckled  with  blackish 
and  reddish  patches.  If  we  scratch  the  skin  of  this 
part,  we  detach  small  scales,  from  which  falls  a  dust  like 
fine  bran,  and  this,  in  all  the  classes,  is  one  of  the  char- 
acteristics denoting  a  milk  rich  in  bntter.  All  cows  hav- 
ing an  escutcheon  of  the  form  which  characterizes  the 
first  class,  belong  to  that  class,  whatever  otherwise  may 


be  the  dimensions  of  their  escutcheon,  their  bulk,  color, 
or  breed. 

At  the  risk  of  wearisome  repetition,  I  will  once  more 
remind  the  reader  that  the  escutcheons,  as  shown  in  my 
figures,  are  not  as  they  are  seen  in  any  ordinary  posture 
of  the  animal,  but  spread  out  as  if  the  skin  were  removed 
and  extended  over  a  plane  surface,  so  as  to  exhibit  their 
full  size  and  configuration. 

Second  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  in  full  milking  will 
give  twenty  litres  (21  quarts)  of  milk  a  day,  and  will 
continue  this  quantity  until  they  are  seven  months  gone 


46 


MILCH    COWS. 


with  calf.  The  marks  of  this  order  perfectly  coincide 
with  those  of  the  first  order,  and  I  have  indicated  them 
by  the  same  letters.  They  have,  besides,  a  little  feather 
of  descending  hair,  which  I  call  the, 
^'Babine  Feather,"  placed  below 
and  to  one  side  of  the  vulva,  or  often 
on  both  sides  at  once.  This  feather 
is  indicated  by  the  letter/.  It  meas- 
ures about  six  centimetres  (2.4  in.) 
in  length,  by  about  one  (0.4  in.) 
in  breadth.  It  is  distinguished  by 
very  short  hair,  and  indicates  an 
inferiority  in  the  daily  milking 
amounting  to  two  or  even  three 
litres  (2  or  3  quarts).  This  order  has  but  a  single  Oval 
feather  above  the  teats,  measuring  six  centimetres  (2.4 
in.)  in  length,  by  three  (1.2  in.)  in  breadth. 

Third  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  sixteen  litres 
(17  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  and  continue  milking  until 
they  are  six  months  gone  with  calf.  The  form  of  the 
escutcheon  is  similar  to  that  of  the  preceding  order,  but 
narrower;  and  as  another  difier- 
ence,  it  has  a  feather  which  I  call 
the  '^Vulvous  Feather,"  forming  a 
semicircle  of  descending  hair  under 
the  vulva,  extending  upwards,  so  as 
to  inclose  it  in  a  fork,  spreading 
from  two  to  three  centimetres  (0.8 
to  1.2  in.)  with  a  length  of  about 
the  same.  This  mark  is  indicated 
by  the  letter  c;  it  is  distinguished 
by  a  whiter  color  than  the  ascend- 
ing hair.  This  order  has  sometimes  an  Oval  feather 
to  the  left,  above  the  hinder  teats. 

Fourth  Order. — Cows  of    the  fourth  order,  when  in 


CLASSiriCATIOJS". 


47 


full  milking,  give  twelve  litres  (12'/,  quarts)  daily,  and 
continue  this  quantity  until  they  are  five  months  gone 
with  calf.  The  escutcheon  of  this  order  differs  from  the 
preceding  by  the  smaller  surface  of 
the  ascending  hair.  The  points  a,  a, 
are  withdrawn  more  within  the 
thighs.  The  points  b,  h,  are  nearer 
the  vulva,  and  the  Vulvous  feather 
of  descending  hair  is  found  embrac- 
ing the  vulva,  with  a  form  often 
rounded  at  the  base,  and  sometimes 
terminating  in  a  fork.  This  feather 
is  larger  than  that  in  the  preceding 
order,  marked  c,  and  it  is  also  dis- 
tinguished by  hair  of  still  whiter  lustre.  There  is  no 
Oval  feather  to  the  right  of  the  escutcheon,  but  there 
is  a  ^^  Thigh  feather,"  marked  g. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  the  fifth  order  give  nine  litres 
(^Vq  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  and  continue  milking  until 
four  months  gone  with  calf.  The  escutcheon  of  this 
order  is  a  little  more  narrowed  in  at  the  points  a,  a,  and 
h,  h,  than  in  the  preceding  order; 
beneath  the  vulva  is  a  feather  form- 
ing a  line  of  descending  hair  of 
about  fifteen  centimetres  (6  in.) 
long,  by  three  (1.2  in.)  wide,  indi- 
cated on  the  figure  by  the  letter  c. 
To  the  right  is  a  Thigh  feather  of 
descending  hair,  which  encroaches 
on  the  escutcheon  in  the  part  which 
is  hidden  between  the  thighs.  It  is 
about  fifteen  centimetres  (6  in.) 
deep,  by  eight  or  ten  (3.2  or  4  in.)  wide,  and  is  indicated 
by  the  letter  g. 

Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  six  litres  (6 
quarts)  of  milk  daily,  and  continue  this  quantity  until 


48  MILCH    COWS. 

they  are  three  months  gone  with  calf.  The  escutcheon  is 
still  more  contracted  at  the  points  a,  a,  than  in  the  pre- 
ceding order,  and  the  Vulvous  feather  is  larger.  Some- 
times two  Thigh  feathers  of  descend- 
ing hair  are  found,  making  two 
notches  in  the  escutcheon.  The 
feathers  found  in  this  escutcheon 
distinguish  the  degenerate  yarieties. 
In  the  preceding  descriptions  I 
have  spoken  of  animals  of  large  size, 
and  to  those  alone  do  the  statements 
of  milk-yield  apply.  For  animals  of 
less  size  there  is  no  need  that  I 
should  describe  the  escutcheons  and 
feathers,  those  signs  being  the  same  on  large  or  small 
animals,  but  I  will  give  in  condensed  form  a  statement 
of  the  daily  yield  of  milk,  and  its  continuance  after 
impregnation. 

MEDIUM  SIZE. 

Fird  Order. — Cows  of  this  order,  in  full  milking, 
give  nineteen  litres  (20  quarts)  daily,  and  continue  it, 
like  those  of  large  size,  during  the  whole  period  of  ges- 
tation. They  may  be  milked  down  to  the  very  time  of 
their  calving.  On  all  these  points  they  exactly  resemble 
those  of  large  size. 

Second  Order. — These  give  fifteen  litres  (IG  quarts)  of 
milk  daily,  and  contimie  it  until  seven  months  gone  with 
calf. 

Third  Order.— Tv^clxe  litres  (12y,  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continued  until  six  months  gone  with  calf. 

Fourth  Order. — Nine  litres  (9'/^  quarts)  dail}',  until 
five  months  gone  with  calf. 

Fifth  Order. — Six  litres  (6  quarts)  daily,  until  four 
months  gone  with  calf. 


CLASSIFICATION.  49 

Sixth  Order. — Three  litres  (3  quarts)  daily,  until  three 
months  gone  with  calf. 

SMALL  SIZE. 

First  Order. — Cows  of  small  size  of  the  first  order 
give,  when  in  full  flow  of  milk,  fourteen  litres  (15 
quarts)  daily,  and  keep  it  up  for  eight  months. 

Second  Order. — Eleven  litres  (liy^  quarts)  daily,  until 
seven  months  gone  with  calf. 

Third  Order. — Eight  litres  (8  quarts)  daily,  until  six 
months  gone  with  calf. 

Fourth  Order. — Six  litres  (6  quarts)  daily,  until  five 
months  gone  with  calf. 

Fifth  Order. — Three  litres  (3  quarts)  daily,  until  four 
months  gone  with  calf. 

Sixth  Order. — One  litre  (1  quart)  daily,  until  three 
months  gone  with  calf. 

BASTARDS    BELONGING    TO    THE    CLASS    OF    FLANDRINES. 

To  preserve  the  connection  of  my  arrangement,  I  ap- 
pend to  each  class  a  description  of  the  bastards  that  be- 
long to  it.  I  now  proceed  to  describe  the  bastards  of  the 
Flandrines,  reminding  the  reader  that  this  description 
applies  to  cows  of  all  sizes. 

These  cows  being  met  with  in  all  the  orders  of  this  class, 
to  estimate  correctly  their  yield  of  milk,  we  must  pro- 
ceed as  with  '^free  "  cows;  that  is,  adding  to,  or  taking 
from,  the  normal  yield,  as  indicated  by  the  form  and  di- 
mensions of  their  escutcheons. 

Flandrine  cows  have  two  species  of  bastards.    The  first 

— No.  1 — has  the  Bastard  feather  marked  /,  in  the  figure. 

Its  hair  is  descending,  and  it  is  placed  high  up  in  the 

median  line  of  the  escutcheon.     Its  form  is  oval,  and  its 

3 


50  MILCH   COWS. 

distance  below  the  vulva  about  two  decimetres  (8  in.) 
This  feather  is  from  ten  to  twelve  centimetres  (4  to  4.8 
in. )  in  length,  to  from  six  to  seven 
r^-'^'^^:^-r-  (2.4  to  2.8  in.)  in  breadth.  It  shows 

.^      ^        J  of  a  whiter  gloss  than  the  escntch- 

eon.  The  larger  this  feather,  the 
more  rapid  is  the  falling-off  in  milk, 
if  it  is  small,  the  loss  is  less  consid- 
erable, but  it  certainly  occurs  as 
the  animal  advances  in  pregnancy. 
The  presence  of  this  feather  is 
the  only  mark  by  which  we  can 
distinguish  the  bastards  of  this 
kind  (No.  1,)  from  the  free  orders. 

The  bastard  No.  2,  has  the  same  characteristics  as  the 
"  free  "  cows  of  the  first  order  of  the  class.  The  escutch- 
eon is  the  same;  only,  instead  of  ascending  vertically  to- 
wards the  vulva,  the  haii*  of  its  margins  spreads  sideways 
over  the  thighs  and  buttocks  of  the  animal,  flaring  out 
like  an  ear  of  wheat.  On  the  inside  of  the  thighs,  as  far 
as  the  vulva,  the  skin  is  delicate  and  of  a  reddish  color, 
but  no  fine  scales  detach  themselves  from  it,  as  in  the 
first  orders.  The  largest  escutcheons,  of  the  finest  hair, 
are  those  which  indicate  the  most  abundant  supply  of 
milk.  When  the  hair  is  coarse,  long,  and  transparent,  it 
is  a  sign  of  poor  milk.  The  description  of  this  variety 
of  bastards  being  sufficiently  explicit,  I  have  not  thought 
it  necessary  to  ilhistrate  it  by  a  special  figure.* 

SECOND    CLASS. -LEFT-HAND    FLANDRINES. 

I  have  given  the  name  of  Left-hand  Flandrines  to  this 
class,  because  it  presents  on  the  left-side,  the  character- 

*In  order  not  to  multiply  the  number  of  figures,  I  have  represented 
the  bastards  of  each  class  with  the  escutcheons  of  the  first  orders. 
When  the  classiucation  is  consulted  for  bastards  of  other  orders,  the 
bastardy  may  be  referred  to  the  figures  representing  the  corresponding 
orders  of  "  free  "  cows. 


CLASSIFICATION. 


51 


istics  of  the  Flandrines  just  described.  In  this  class,  as 
in  the  others,  the  cows  which  are  characterized  by  the 
escutcheons  indicated  in  the  designs  of  the  class,  are  all 
considered  as  belonging  to  the  same  family. 


LARGE     SIZE. 


Fust  Order, — Cows  of  the  first  order  of  this  class, 
give,  when  in  full  flow  of  milk,  twenty-two  litres  (23 
quarts)  daily,  and  continue  milking,  with  a  continually 


lessening  supply,  until  they  are  eight  months  gone  Y/ith 
calf.  Like  the  cows  of  the  first  order  of  the  first  class, 
they  will  never  go  dry  if  constantly  milked.  Those  of 
the  first  order  have  a  fine  udder  covered  with  soft  down, 
which  ascends  from  the  middle  of  the  four  teats,  spreads 
within  and  a  little  above  the  houghs,  and  extends  over 
the  thighs  to  the  points  marked  a,  a.  The  right  side  of 
the  escutcheon  is  checked  by  a  transverse  line,  running 
toward  the  center  of  the  thighs.  The  left  side  rises  in  a 
vertical  line  as  high  as  the  top  of  the  vulva,  w^here  the 
escutcheon  ends  with  a  breadth  of  about  eight  to  ten 
centimetres  (3  to  4  in.)  at  the  point  h. 


52 


MILCH   COWS. 


Above  the  hinder  teats,  as  in  the  first  order  of  the  first 
class,  we  find  two  Oval  feathers  of  descending  hair, 
marked  e,  e,  being  each  four  to  five  centimetres  (1.6  to 
2  in.)  in  breadth,  by  eight  to  ten  (3  to  4  in.)  in  length, 
and  conspicuous  by  the  whiter  lustre  of  the  hair. 
The  first  order  of  this  class,  moreover,  like  that  of  the 
preceding,  has  the  inside  of  the  thighs  and  perinaeum, 
as  high  as  the  vulva,  of  a  yellowish  or  nankeen  color, 
sprinkled  with  black  and  red  spots; 
and  on  scratching  the  skin  with 
the  nail,  small  unctuous  scales  are 
detached  like  fine  bran,  or  the 
powder  of    some    fatty  substance. 


Second  Order. — Tliese  cov/s  give 
eighteen  litres  (19  quarts)  milk 
daily,  and  continue  until  they  are 
seven  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
pattern  of  the  escutcheon  is  the 
same  as  that  of  the  first  order;  but  the  points  a,  a,  are 
nearer  together,  and  the  whole  figure  is  narrowed.  It 
has  on  the  left  of  the  vulva,  a  Babine  feather  of  descend- 
ing hair,  marked  c,  in  the  figure,  of  six  to  seven  centi- 
metres (2.4  to  2.8  in.)  in  length,  by 
one  in  breadth.  The  whole  escutch- 
eon is  distinguished  by  the  gloss  of 
its  reversed  hair;  there  is  but  a 
single  oval  feather  above  the  teats, 
which  is  situated  on  the  left  of  the 
udder,  and  marked  e  in  the  figure. 

Third    Order. — These    cows    give 
fourteen  litres  (15  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continuing  until  they  are  six 
months  gone  with  calf;    the  design  of  the  escutcheon  is 
the  same  as  in  the  first  and  second  orders,  but  still  more 


CLASSIFICATION". 


53 


contracted.  The  points  a,  a,  are  lower  and  nearer  to- 
gether. To  the  left  of  the  vulva  may  be  seen  a  white 
streak  in  the  ascending  hair;  this  is  the  Babine  feather 
of  descending  hair,  marked  in  the  figure  by  c;  it  is  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  centimetres  (4.8 
to  6  in. )  long,  by  two  (0. 8  in. )  broad. 

Fourth  Order.  —  Cows  of  this 
order  give  ten  litres  (lOy^  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  continue  it  until 
they  are  five  months  gone  with  calf. 
They  have  the  same  upper  mark  as 
the  preceding  order;  the  lines  of 
the  escutcheon  run  nearer  together, 
and  the  whole  figure  is  more  con- 
tracted. The  points  «,  a,  are  lower  and  less  extended; 
the  Babine  feather,  c,  to  the  left  of  the  vulva,  is  of  de- 
scending hair,  longer  and  wider  than  that  of  the  preced- 
ing order.  Beneath  the  points  a,  a,  to  the  left  or  right, 
sometimes  appears  the  Thigh  feathery,  formed  of  de- 
scending hair,  forming  a  continua- 
tion of  that  of  the  thighs,  and  en- 
croaching on  the  escutcheon.  All 
the  orders  of  this  class  may  have 
this  feather,  which  is  always  indic- 
ative of    a  smaller  yield   of   milk. 


Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  seven  litres  (7  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continuing  it  until  they  are 
four  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
escutcheon  is  more  contracted  than  in  the  preceding 
order;  on  the  left  side,  the  hair,  instead  of  ascending 
vertically,  feathers  out  sideways  like  the  beard  of  an 
ear  of  wheat;  the  hair,  coarser  over  all  the  escutcheon, 
is  irregular  on  the  right  side,  from  the  presence  of  the 


54 


MILCH   COWS. 


Thigh  feather,  g,  which  replaces  a  part  of  the  ascending, 
by  descending  hair.  This  feather  begins  on  the  inner 
surface  of  the  thigh,  and  is  lost  on 
the  surface  of  the  udder. 

Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  four  litres  (4  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  continue  only  three  months 
after  a  new  impregnation.  The 
pattern  of  the  escutcheon  is  nar- 
rower than  the  preceding;  and  the 
upper  part  is  formed  of  coarse 
hairs,  feathering  off  to   the  left. 


MEDIUM     SIZE. 


First  Order. — Cows  of  medium  size  of  the  first  order, 
give,  when  in  full  milking,  seventeen  litres  (18  quarts) 
daily,  continuing  it  for  eight  months  after  impregnation, 
like  those  of  large  size.  Like  those,  also,  they  can  be 
milked  down  to  the  very  time  of  calving. 

Second  Order. — These  give  fourteen  litres  (15  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  continued  until  they  are  seven  months 
gone  with  calf. 

Tliird  Order. — Ten  litres  (10y„  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 
continued   until  they  are  six    months   gone  with   calf. 

Fourth  Order. — Seven  litres  (7  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 
continued  until  they  are   five  months  gone  with  calf. 

Fifth  Order. — Four  litres  (4  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 
continued  until  they  are  four  months  gone  with  calf. 

Sixth  Order. — Two  litres  (2  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 
continued  until  they  are  three  months  gone  with  calf. 


CLASSIFICATIOIir.  55 

SMALL     SIZE. 

First  Order. — Cows  of  this  order,  in  full  milking,  give 
twelve  litres  {l"^'/^  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  and  continue  it 
as  do  those  of  large  and  medium  size,  the  quantity 
diminishing    gradually    as    their   pregnancy    advances. 

Second  Order, — Ten  litres  (lOy^  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 
continued  until  they  are  seven  months  gone  with  calf. 

Third  Order. — Seven  litres  (7  quarts)  daily,  until  six 
months  gone  with  calf. 

Fourfh  Order. — Four  litres  (4  quarts)  daily,  until  five 
months  gone  v/ith  calf. 

Fifth  Order. — Two  litres  (2  quarts)  daily,  until  four 
months  gone  with  calf. 

Sixth  Order. — One  litre  (1  quart)  daily,  until  three 
months  gone  with  calf. 

BASTARD    LEFT-HAND    FLANDRINES. 

The  bastards  of  this  class  are  distmguished  by  a  peculi- 
arity in  the  escutcheon,  which  takes  a  large  and  irregular 
development  in  the  upper  part  and 
to  the  left  of  the  vulva,  and  the 
hair  is  also  bristling.  In  addition 
we  shall  find  the  Buttock  feather, 
situated  to  the  right  of  the  vulva, 
with  which  it  is  almost  in  contact;  it 
is  marked  c  in  the  figure.  This 
feather,  the  hair  of  which  grows 
almost  horizontally,  is  about  twelve 
to  fifteen  centimetres  (4.8  to  6  in.) 
in  length,  by  seven  to  eight  (2.8  to 
3.2  in.)  in  breadth.  The  smaller  this  feather  is,  the 
less  diminution  of  milk  does  it  indicate,  but  none  the 


56  MILCH   COWS. 

less  the  cows  marked  with  it  lose  their  milk  gradually, 
after  a  new  impregnation. 

THIKD    CLASS. -SELVEDGE    COWS. 

The  form  of  the  escutcheon  of  this  class  is  very  differ- 
ent from  that  of  the  two  preceding.  Its  ascending  part 
is  formed  by  a  streak  of  upward-growing  hair  m  the  form 
of  a  selvedge  or  list,  extending  uj^ward  vertically,  and 
ending  at  the  vulva  without  any  interruption. 

LARGE     SIZE. 

First  Order. — The  large  cows  of  the  first  order  of  this 
class,  give  twenty-four  litres  (25  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 


and  continue  it  until  they  are  eight  months  gone  with 
calf,  or  even  until  calving,  if  the  milking  is  kept  up. 
They  have  a  fine,  elastic,  and  velvety  udder,  covered 
with  a  light  ascending  down.  The  escutcheon  starts 
from  the  middle  of  the  four  teats,  extends  within  the 
thighs  and  above  the  houghs,  spreading  out  to  the  points 
a,  a,  from  which  points,  two  transverse  horizontal  lines 


CLASSIPICATIOl^. 


57 


run  in  toward  the  joining  of  the  thighs,  as  far  as  the 
points  l,  1),  which  are  about  ten  centimetres  (4  in. )  apart. 
A  double  Hne  starting  from  the  points  1),  l,  mounts  ver- 
tically to  the  Yulva,  where  the  escutcheon  ends  with  a 
breadth  of  two  centimetres  (0.8  in.)  Above  the  two 
hinder  teats,  are  two  Oval  feathers,  e,  e,  of  ascending 
hair,  which  are  very  nearly  as  large  as  those  described  in 
the  first  order  of  Flandrines;  they  are  distinguished 
by  a  whiter  color  than  that  of  the  escutcheon.  In 
the  first  order  of  Selvedge  cows, 
as  in  the  first  order  of  Flandrines, 
the  color  of  the  escutcheon  from  the 
junction  of  the  thighs,  is  of  a  yel- 
lowish, or  nankeen  tint,  as  high  as 
the  vulva. 


Second  Order* — These  cows  give 

twenty   litres  (21   quarts)  of  milk 

daily,  and  continue  it  until  they  are 

seven  months  gone  with  calf.    Their 

escutcheon  has  the  same  form  as  that  of  the  first  order; 

the  points  a,  a,  are  nearer  together,  how^ever,  and  the 

whole  figure  is  more  contracted.  There  is  a  Buttock 
feather,  c,  of  ascending  hair  to  the 
left  of  the  vulva;  it  is  about  four 
centimetres  (1.6  in.)  long, by  about 
one  centimetre  (0.4  in.)  wide,  and 
is  distinguished  by  the  whitish  lus- 
tre of  the  reversed  hair.  Above 
the  teats  is  a  single  Oval  feather, 
marked  e. 

TJiird  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  sixteen  litres  (17  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  continue  it  until  they  are  six  months 
gone  with  calf.     The   marks  of  this  order   are    nearly 


58 


MILCH   COWS. 


the  same  as  those  of  the  preceding  order,  but  the 
points  a,  a,  are  closer  together  and  lower.  The  escutch- 
eon terminates  at  the  vulva  by  a  sharp  point,  to  the  right 
and  left  of  which  are  two  Buttock 
feathers  of  ascending  hair,  c,  c,  of 
the  same  breadth  as  that  of  the 
preceding  order;  but  the  right  one 
is  several  centimetres  shorter  than 
the  left. 


Fourtli  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  twelve  litres  (12y„  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  continue  it  until 
they  are  five  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  escutcheon  is  more  contracted  than  in  the  preceding 
order,  the  points  a,  a,  are  closer  together,  standing  not 
more  than  two  decimetres  (8  in.)  apart;  the  list  or 
stripe  ascends  as  high  as  the  vulva,  where  it  termi- 
nates in  a  sharp  point.  To  right  and  left  of  the 
vulva,  there  are  two  Buttock  feath- 
ers, marked  c;  they  are  wider  and 
longer  than  in  the  preceding  order. 

Flftli  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  nine  litres  (9'/,  quarts)  of 
milk  daily,  and  continue  it  until 
they  are  four  months  gone  with 
calf.  The  escutcheon  is  still  more 
contracted,  the  ascending  line  is 
very  slender,  and  is  broken  in  the 
upper  half,  with  interspaces  of  one,  two,  or  three  centi- 
metres. The  Buttock  feathers,  c,  c,  are  longer  and  wider 
than  those  of  the  preceding  order. 


Sixth    Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  six  litres  (6 
quarts)   of    milk   daily,    ceasing  when    they  are  three 


CLASSIFICATION.  59 

months  gone  with  calf.     The  escutcheon  is  even  more 

contracted,    and     the     ascending 

line  is  broken   by  wider  intervals 

than    in    the    preceding     order. 

Buttock  feathers  are  often  found 

to  right  and    left  of   the   vulva, 

in  which    they   are    longer    and 

broader,     and     of     coarser     and 

more    bristly  hair,    than   in    the 

preceding  order. 


MEDIUM     SIZE. 

First  Order. — Cows  of  this  size  and  order,  give,  when 
in  full  milking,  nineteen  litres  (20  quarts)  daily,  and 
continue  until  they  are  eight  months  gone  with  calf. 

Second  Order. — Fifteen  litres  (16  quarts,)  continued 
until  they  are  seven  months  gone  with  calf. 

Third  Order. — Twelve  litres  (12y2  quarts,)  continued 
until  six  months  in  calf. 

Fourth  Order. — Nine  litres  (Oy^  quarts,)  continued 
until  five  months  gone  with  calf. 

Fifth  Order. — Six  litres  (6  quarts,)  continued  until 
four  months  gone  with  calf. 

Sixth  Order. — Three  litres  (3  quarts,)  continued  until 
three  months  gone  with  calf. 

SMALL     SIZE. 

The  yield  of  the  cows  of  small  size,  is  the  same  in 
quantity  and  continuance,  as  that  of  the  Flandrines  of 
the  same  size  and  order. 


60 


MILCH  COWS. 


BASTARD  SELVEDGE  COWS. 


The  bastards  of  this  class,  of 
every  size  and  order,  may  be  rec- 
ognized by  two  Buttock  feathers, 
one  on  each  side  at  the  heiglit  of 
the  vulva.  These  feathers  are  from 
ten  to  twelve  centimetres  (4  to  4.8 
in.)  long,  by  from  four  to  six  (1.6 
to  2.4  in.)  wide.  When  these 
feathers  are  pointed  at  the  extremi- 
ties, and  of  a  coarse  hair,  they  in- 
dicate a  thin  and  watery  milk.     But 

whatever  their  form,  they  are  a  sign  of  an  early  loss  of 

milk  after  impregnation. 


FOURTH    CLASS.— CURVELINES. 

I  have  applied  this  name  to  cows  of  the  fourth  class, 
because  the  outline  of  their  escutcheon,  which  is  some- 
what of  a  lozenge  shape,  is  formed  by  curved  lines  start- 
ing from  the  right  and  left,  and  ascending  until  they 
join  at  about  five  to  six  centimetres  (2  to  2.4  in.)  be- 
low the  vulva.  This  class  is  very  abundant  in  milk,  in 
Avhich  respect  it  approaches  the  first.  Cows  of  this  class 
are  found  in  all  breeds,  the  production  varying  with  the 
size  and  order,  as  in  the  previous  classes. 

LARGE    SIZE. 


First  Order. — Cows  of  this  size  and  order,  give,  when 
in  full  milking,  twenty-four  litres  (25  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  continue,  but  with  a  gradual  diminution,  un- 
til they  are  eight  months  gone  with  calf.  The  skin  of 
the  escutcheon  is  covered  with  the  same  saffron-yellow 


CLASSIFICATION. 


61 


pellicles,  and  the  same  fine  down,  as  that  of  cows  of  the 
first  order  of  the  preceding  classes.  The  escutcheon 
widens  more  at  the  top,  starting  from  between  the  four 
teats,  Avithin  and  above  the  houghs,  it  ascends,  spreading 
to  right  and  left,  as  high  as  the  middle  of  the  thighs,  at 
the  points  a,  a.  From  these  points  start,  to  right  and 
left,  two  curved  lines,  concave  inwardly,  which  end  at 
the  point  b,  about  four  or  five  centimetres  (1.6  or  2  in.) 
from  the  vulva.     Above  and  opposite  the  hinder  teats. 


there  are,  as  in  cows  of  the  first  order,  of  the  preceding 
classes,  two  Oval  feathers  of  descending  hair,  marked  e,  e. 
Cows  of  the  first  order  of  this  class,  may  have  the  But- 
tock feathers  to  right  and  left  of  the  vulva.  When  these 
exist,  their  length  is  from  three  to  four  centimetres  (1.2 
to  1.6  in.),  and  their  breadth  one.  They  denote  the 
continuance  of  milk  during  pregnancy,  though  it  fre- 
quently happens  that  cows  which  are  destitute  of  these 
feathers  preserve  their  milk  equally  well. 

Second  Order.— Cows  of  this  order  give  twenty  litres 


62 


MILCH   COWS. 


(21  quarts)  of  milk  daih',  continuing  until  they  are  seven 

months  gone  with  calf.     The  form 

r^.^ .  ,      of   the  escutcheon  is   the   same   as 

^  in  the  preceding  order,  but  rather 
more  contracted  in  all  its  parts. 
To  the  left  of  the  vulya  is  seen  a 
Buttock  feather  of  ascending  hair, 
marked  c,  about  four  centimetres 
(1.6  in.)  long  by  one  (0.4  in.) 
wide.  In  this  order  there  is  but 
one  Oval  feather,  e,  on  the  left 
side,  above  the  teats. 

Third  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  sixteen  litres 

(IT  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  continuing 

until  they  are  eight  months  gone 

with  calf.  The  pattern  of  the  es- 
cutcheon is  more  contracted  than  in 

the  preceding  order,  but  resembles  it 

in  form.     To  right  and  left  of  the 

vulva  are  two  Buttock  feathers  of 

ascending    hair,    marked    c,   c,   of 

about  a  decimetre  (4  in.)  in  length 

by    two    centimetres    (0.8    in.)   in 

width.      Above    the    teats  on  the 

left  side  there  is  an  Oval  feather,  marked  e;  the  point, 
h,  is  lower  than  in  the  preceding 
order,  and  to  the  right,  below  the 
letter  a,  may  be  noticed  a  feather  of 
descending  hair,  making  a  notch 
in  the  escutcheon. 

Fourth  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  twelve  litres  (12y„  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  cease  milking 
when  they  are  five  months  gone 
with  calf.     The  escutcheon  is  lower 


CLASSIFICA.TION. 


63 


and  still, more  contracted;  tlic  Buttock  feather,  c,  is  seen 
on  each  side  of  the  vulva.  It  is  fifteen  centimetres 
(6  in.)  long  by  three  (1.2  in.)  wide, 
the  one  on  the  right  is  shorter  than 
the  other.  Below  the  points,  a,  a, 
to  right  and  left  of  the  thighs,  ap- 
pear the  thigh  feathers,  g,  g,  of 
about  ten  centimetres  (4  in.)  wide 
by  about  fifteen  (6  in)  long. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 

give  nine  litres  (Oy^  quarts)  of  milk 

daily,  and  cease  milking  when  they 

are  four  months  gone  with  calf.  The  escutcheon  is  still 
more  contracted  in  all  its  parts, 
the  buttock  and  thigh  feathers  are 
longer  and  wider  than  in  the 
preceding  order. 


Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  six  litres  (6  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  cease  milking  when  three 
months  gone  with  calf.  Though 
the  escutcheon  shows  the  distinc- 
tive form  of  the  class,  it  is  so  small 
appreciable,    and    indicates   a  very 


as  to  be    scarcely 
poor  milker. 


MEDIUM  SIZE. 


The  yield  of  cows  of  this  size  is  the  same  in  quantity 
and  continuance  as  that  of  Flandrines  of  the  same  size 
and  order. 


SMALL  SIZE. 

Same  as  for  Flandrines  of  the  same  size  and  order. 


64 


MILCH   COWS. 


Remark. — In  this  class  the  detached  feathers  to  right 
and  left  of  the  vulya,  marked  c,  c,  should  be  carefully 
observed.  To  be  a  favorable  sign,  they  should  have 
exactly  the  size  indicated  in  the  description  of  the  char- 
acteristics of  each  order. 


BASTARDS. 

When  the  Buttock  feathers  are 
of  a  length  of  ten  to  twelve  centi- 
metres (4  to  4.8  in.),  with  a  width 
of  six  to  eight  (2.4  to  3.2  in.), 
ending  in  a  point  at  each  extrem- 
ity, and  of  coarse,  rough  hair,  they 
denote  a  bastard,  who  will  lose  her 
milk  as  soon  as  she  is  again  im- 
pregnated, or  very  shortly  after. 


FIFTH    CLASS.— BICORNS. 

I  give  this  name  to  the  cows  of  my  fifth  class,  because 
their  escutcheon  is  bifurcated,  and  resembles  two  ascend- 
ing horns,  that  on  the  left  being  longer  than  the  other. 
Cows  of  this  class  are  productive,  and  copious  milkers. 
This  class  is  found  in  all  our  breeds.  Each  order,  as  in 
the  other  classes,  has  some  difference  in  the  details  of 
the  characteristic  signs.  The  jield,  as  in  other  cases,  is 
in  proportion  to  the  size  and  the  order. 

LARGE     SIZE. 


First  Order, — Cows  of  this  class  and  order  give,  when 
in  fall  flow  of  milk,  twenty-four  litres  (25  quarts)  daily, 
and  continue  until  they  are  eight  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  hair  of  the  escutcheon  in  the  first  order  of  this  class, 
has  the  fineness  of  that  in  the  preceding  orders.    The 


CLASSIFICATION. 


65 


udder  is  covered  with  a  fine  down,  and  small  scales  of  a 
saffron-color  may  be  detached  from  tlie  interior  of  the 
thighs,  as  high  as  the  vulva.  The  escutcheon,  as  stated 
above,  has  two  ascending  horns,  ending  at  a  distance  of 
about  a  decimetre  (4  in.)  from  the  vulva,  while  the 
middle  portion  dips,  as  is  shown  at  o.  The  escutcheon, 
as  in  the  previous  classes,  starts  from  the  middle  of  the 
four  teats,  inside  and  above  the  houghs,  with  ascending 
hair  over  all  its  surface;  it  spreads  over  upon  the  thighs 


at  the  points  a,  a,  and  starting  from  these  points,  its 
outline  describes  a  curve,  rising  to  the  points  h,  h,  when 
it  dips  inward  again  to  the  point  o.  On  the  sides  of  the 
vulva  are  two  Buttock  feathers  of  ascending  hair,  marked 
c,  c,  of  about  five  centimetres  (2  in.)  in  length,  by  about 
one  (0.4  in.)  in  width.  Above  the  two  hinder  teats,  are 
two  Oval  feathers,  e,  e,  as  in  the  first  orders  of  the  pre- 
ceding classes. 


Second  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  twenty  litres 
(21  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  continuing  until  they  are  seven 
months  gone  with  calf.     The  escutcheon  has  the  same 


66 


MILCH   COWS. 


form  as  in  the  preceding  order,  but  is  lower  and  more 
contracted.  The  color  of  the  pel- 
licles is  the  same.  Of  the  two  But- 
tock feathers  to  right  and  left  of 
the  vulva,  that  on  the  left  is  the 
longer,  measuring  about  eight  cen- 
timetres (3.2  in.),  by  one  and  a 
half  (0.0  in.),  that  on  the  right 
measuring  about  six  centimetres  (2.4 
in.)  by  one  (0.4  in.)  The  right  horn 
of  the  escutcheon  is  also  lower,  by 
one  or   two  centimetres  (0.4  or  0.8 

in.)  than  the  left.     There  is  but  a  single  oval  feather,  e, 

on  the  left  above  the  teats. 

Third  Order, — Cows  of  this  order  give  sixteen  litres 
(17  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  continuing  until  they  are  six 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  escutcheon  is  still  lower 
than  in  the  second  order;  there  are  two  Buttock  feathers 
to  right  and  left  of  the  vulva,  somewhat  longer  and  wider 
than  in  the  preceding  order.  The 
right  horn  of  the  escutcheon  is  from 
two  to  three  centimetres  (0.8  to  1.2 
in.)  lower  tlian  the  left.  There  is 
no  Oval  feather  above  the  teats. 
Beneath  the  point  a,  on  the  right 
side,  may  be  observed  an  encroach- 
ment of  descending  hair,  from  that 
of  the  thigh,  distinguishable  from 
the  ascending  hair  of  the  escutch-  ^^  ^W  5?^ 
eon  by  its  whiter  color.  The  more 
extensive  this  patch  of  descending  hair,  the  less  will  be 
the  yield  of  milk. 

Fourth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  twelve  litres 
(12y,  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  continuing  until  they  are 
five  months  gone  wdth  calf.     The  escutcheon  has  the 


CLASSIFICATJOX. 


07 


same  form,  but  is  more  contracted,  and  further  from  the 
Yulva.  Beneath  the  point  a,  on  the 
right,  is  a  notch  or  gore  of  descend- 
ing hair,  forming  an  acute  angle, 
marked  g,  which  almost  divides  the 
escutcheon.  To  right  and  left  of 
the  vulva,  at  the  points  c,  c,  are 
two  Buttock  feathers  of  ascending, 
and  bristling  hair;  that  on  the  left 
measures  about  twelve  centimetres 
(4.8  in.)  long,  by  about  two  or  three 
(0.8  or  1.2  in.)  wide;  that  on  the 
right  is  from  eight  to  ten  centimetres  (3.2  to  4  in.  long,) 
by  two  or  three  wide. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  nine  litres  (Oy^  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continuing  until  four  months 
gone  with  calf.  The  escutcheon  is 
still  lower,  and  more  withdrawn  into 
the  junction  of  the  thighs,  the  horns 
are  diminished  in  length.  To  right 
and  left  of  the  vulva  are  two  But- 
tock feathers  of  ascending  and  bristly 
hairs;  that  on  the  right  is  the  smaller. 
On  the  right  side  of  the  escutcheon 
will  be  found  the  Thigh  feather,  g. 

Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  six  litres  (6  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  until  three  months  gone  with 
calf.  The  escutcheon  is  still  smaller 
than  in  the  fifth  order,  the  ascend- 
ing hairs  to  the  left  of  the  vulva  are 
more  spread  out,  and  quite  bristling. 
Cows  of  this  order  are  poor  milkers, 
and  can  scarcelv  nourish  their  calves. 


68 


MILCH    COTN'S. 


MEDIOI     SIZE. 

The  yield  of  eo^ys  of  this  size  is  the  same,  both  as  to 
quantity  and  persistence,  as  that  of  Flandrines  of  the 
same  size  and  order. 

SMAT.T.      SIZE. 

The  same  as  for  Flandrines  of  the  same  size  and  order. 


BASTAEDS. 

The  bastards  of  Bicorn  cows  can 
be  recognized  by  the  Buttock  feath- 
ers, c,  c,  being  mu 
wider  than  those  of  the 
cows.  These  cows  give  a  liberal 
supply  of  milk,  but  their  milk  fails 
as  soon  as  they  are  again  with  calf. 


longer   and 
•'  free  " 


SIXTH   CLASS.— DOUBLE    SELVEDGE    COWS. 


The  name  which  I  have  given  this  new  class  is  purely 
arbitrary,  and  was  suggested  by  the  odd  appearance  of 
the  escutcheon.  The  escutcheon  of  Double  Selvedge 
Cows,  differs  from  that  of  the  third  or  Selvedge  class, 
by  being  divided  throughout  its  whole  length,  into  two 
equal  parts  by  a  band  of  descending  hair.  This  band,  of 
from  eight  to  ten  centimetres  (3.2  to  4  in.)  in  width, 
surrounds  the  vulva,  and  descends  to  the  point  /,  near 
the  hmder  teats.  It  is  bordered  on  each  side  throughout 
its  whole  length,  and  at  its  extremity  by  a  double  fillet,  c,  c, 
of  ascending  hair,  of  about  two  centimetres  (0.8  in.)  in 
width,  which  fillet  is,  in  fact,  a  prolongation  of  the  es- 


CLASSIFICATION^-. 


69 


cutcheon,  in  the  direction  of  the  vulya.  This  escutcheon, 
like  those  of  the  other  classes,  starts  from  the  middle  of 
the  four  teats,  within  and  above  the  houghs,  and  spreads 
out  to  the  points  a,  a,  where  it  is  bordered  bj  two  hori- 
zontal lines;  thence  running  in  to  the  points  h,  i,  from 
which  it  is  continued  by  the  ascending  fillets  c,  c,  aud 
ends  above  on  each  side  of  the  vulva. 


LARGE    SIZE. 

First  Order.— Cows  of  this  order  and  size  give  twenty- 
two  litres  (23  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  continuing  it,  but 
with  a  progressive   diminution  during  gestation,   until 


they  are  eight  months  gone  with  calf,  and  if  constantly 
milked,  will  never  go  dry.  The  cows  of- this  first  order 
have  the  udder  fine,  elastic,  and  covered  with  a  silky 
down.  The  skin  of  the  escutcheon  is  of  a  yellowish,  or 
nankeen  color. 


70 


MILCH   COWS. 


Second  Order. — Cows  of  the  sec- 
ond order  give  eighteen  litres  (19 
quarts)  of  milk  daily,  continuing 
until  they  are  seven  months  gone 
with  calf.  Their  escutcheon  is  of 
the  same  form  as  that  of  the  jire- 
ceding  order,  but  a  little  narrower 
in  surface.  The  descending  band 
of  hair,  marked  j,  ends  about  eight 
to  ten  centimetres  (3.2  to  4  in.) 
above  the  teats. 


Third   Order. — Cows  of  this  order,  when  in  full  flow^ 

of    milk,    give    fourteen   litres    (15 

quarts)   of    milk   daily,    continuing 

until  they  are  six  months  gone  with 

calf.     The  escutcheon  has  the  same 

form  as  in  the  preceding  orders,  but 

is   still   more   contracted;    the   two 

fillets  are  narrower  by  half  at  the 

top  than  in  the  first  order,  and  the 

central  band  of  descending  hair  ends 

near  the  center  of  the  udder,  about 

fifteen  centimetres  (6  in.)  above  the 

hinder  teats. 

Fourth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  ten  litres  (lOy^  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  cease  milking  when  five 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  es- 
cutcheon resembles  the  preceding, 
but  the  two  fillets  which  ascend 
toward  the  vulva,  are  still  narrower 
and  closer  together,  their  distance 
apart  being  from  five  to  six  centime- 
tres. The  hair  is  coarser  and  denser; 
the  central  part,  of  descending  hair. 


CLASSIFICATION". 


71 


marked  j,  is  only  about  three  decimetres  (12  in.)  in 
length.  Beneath  the  letter  a,  on  the  right  of  the  es- 
cutcheon, is  a  Thigh  feather,  marked  g. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  seven  litres  (7  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  cease  milking  when  they 
are  four  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  escutcheon  is  more  contracted 
than  in  the  preceding  orders,  the  de- 
scending band  of  hair  ends  at  from 
two  to  three  centimetres  (0.8  to  1.2 
in.)  above  the  udder.  The  hair  of 
the  escutcheon  is  denser  and  more 
bristling  than  in  the  preceding  or- 
ders, and  there  are  two  Thigh  feathers,  marked  g. 

Sixth  Order, — Cov/s  of  this  order 
give  four  litres  (4  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  cease  milking  when  three 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  es- 
cutcheon is  greatly  withdrawn  within 
the  thighs,  the  two  fillets  of  ascend- 
ing hair  are  very  near  together,  and 
vanish  before  reaching  the  vulva. 
That  of  the  right  is  much  shorter  than 
the  left.  This  escutcheon  indicates 
an  exceedingly  small  yield  of  milk. 

MEDIUM  SIZE. 

The  yield  of  cows  of  medium  size  is  the  same,  as  to 
quantity  and  continuance,  as  that  of  Left-hand  Flan- 
driues  of  the  same  size  and  order. 

SMALL    SIZE. 

The  same  as  for  Left-hand  Flandrines  of  the  same 
size  and  order. 


72 


MILCH   COWS. 


BASTARDS. 

Bastards  of  this  class  are  recognizable  by  the  two  But- 
tock feathers,  one  on  the  right  and 
the  other  on  the  left  of  the  vulva. 
These  feathers  are  from  ten  to  twelve 
centimetres  (4  to  4.8  in.)  long  by 
seven  or  eight  (2.8  or  3.2  in.)  wide. 
The  two  fillets  ascend  as  high  as 
the  Buttock  feathers,  which  they 
join,  especially  on  the  right  side; 
these  feathers  are  formed  of  coarse, 
bristling  hair.  The  larger  the  es- 
cutcheon and  the  smaller  the  feath- 
ers, the  better  is  the  cow,  and  the  longer  will  she 
continue  milkinsf. 


SEVENTH    CLASS— DEMIJOHNS. 

The  name  of  this  class  has  been  given  from  the  resem- 
blance of  the  form  of  the  escutcheon  to  that  of  a 
demijohn.* 

LARGE  SIZE. 

First  Order. — Cows  of  this  size  and  order  give,  when 
in  full  milkiug,  twenty-four  litres  (25  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continuing  until  they  are  eight  months  gone  with 
calf.  The  first  order  of  this  class  has  the  skin  of  the 
escutcheon  of  the  same  color  as  that  of  the  first  orders 
of  the  preceding  classes;  the  udder  is  fine,  and  covered 
with  a  silky  down  on  the  interior  of  the  thighs,  the 
small  pellicles  which  may  be  detached  from  the  epidermis 


*  The  name  given  by  M.  Guenon  is  "  Poitevines,"  a  term  -which,  as  he 
explains,  has  no  reference  to  the  cows  of  Poitou,  but  is  a  word  of  his 
own  coinage,  derived  from  wine-jug  {pot  dc  vin),  or  demijohn.  As  the 
term  "  Demijohn  "  has  been  used  by  previous  writers  in  this  country,  it 
has  been  retained  here. — Tr. 


CLASSIFICATION^.  73 

are  unctuous  to  the  touch.  The  escutcheon  starts  from 
the  middle  of  the  four  teats,  within  and  above  the 
houghs,  spreads  toward  the  middle  of  the  thigh  at  the 
points  a,  a,  whence  proceed  two  transverse  re-entering 
lines,  reaching  to  the  points  /,  /,  situated  about  twelve 
to  fifteen  centimetres  (4.8  to  6  in.)  ai^art;  from  these 
latter  points  a  double  line  of  ascending  hair  is  prolonged 
upward,  terminating  squarely  at  n.  This  part  is  from 
six  to  eight  centimetres  (2.4  to  3.2  in.)  wide,  and  stops 


at  about  a  decimetre  and  a  half  (6  in.)  below  the 
vulva;  the  wider  it  is,  and  the  nearer  it  approaches  the 
vulva,  the  more  milk  the  cow  will  give.  Above  the 
hinder  teats  there  are  two  Oval  feathers,  marked  e,  c, 
formed  of  descending  hair,  and  about  a  decimetre  (I 
in.)  long  by  five  or  six  centimetres  (2.0  or  2.4  in) 
wide.  To  right  and  left  of  the  vulva  are  two  Buttock 
feathers  of  ascending  hair,  marked  o,  o,  which  are  about 
four  to  five  centimetres  (1.6  to  2  in.)  long,  and  a  cen- 
timetre (0.4  in.)  wide.  The  hair  of  these  feathers  is 
short,  white,  and  very  distinct. 
4 


74 


MILCH    COWS. 


Second  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  twenty  litres  (21  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  continue  until 
they  are  seven  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  escutcheon  has  the  same  form 
as  in  the  preceding  order,  it  is  only 
a  little  less  expanded  in  all  its  parts. 
There  is  but  a  single  Oval  feather 
above  the  left  hinder  teat,  the  feath- 
ers to  right  and  left  of  the  vulva  are 
longer  than  in  the  preceding  order. 


Third  Order, — Cows  of  this  order  give  sixteen  litres 
(17  quarts)  daily,  and  continue  until 
they  are  six  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  escutcheon  is  still  more  con- 
tracted than  in  the  preceding  order; 
the  pomts,  a,  a,  are  nearer  together; 
the  line,  n,  is  more  distant  from  the 
vulva.  To  the  right,  below  the 
point,  a,  a  feather  of  descending 
hair,  g,  scoops  out  a  part  of  the 
outline.  The  Buttock  feathers  are 
longer  and  wider  than  in  the  pre- 
ceding order.  The  left  hand  one  being  about  twelve  cen- 
timetres (4.8  in.)  in  length,  by  two 
and  a  half  (1  in.)  in  width;  that 
on  the  right  is  shorter  and  narrower. 

Fourth  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  twelve  litres  (ISy^  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  continuing  until  they 
are  five  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
escutcheon  is  contracted  and  low- 
ered. The  Buttock  feathers  to  right 
and  left  of  the  vulva  are  longer  and 


CLASSIFICATION. 


75 


wider;  the  hair  is  coarser  and  more  bristling, 
right  of  the  escutcheon  is  the  Thigh 
feather,  g. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  nine  litres  (97,  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  stop  milking  when  four 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  es- 
cutcheon is  notably  reduced  in  all 
its  proportions.  The  Buttock  and 
Thigh  feathers  are  longer  and  wider 
than  in  the  fourth  order. 


On  the 


Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  six  litres  (6  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  stop  milking  when  three 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  es- 
cutcheon is  small,  and  contracted 
in  all  its  parts.  The  Buttock  feath- 
ers are  still  wider  and  longer. 

MEDIUM   SIZE. 

The  yield  of  Demijohn  cows  of 
medium  size  is  the  same  in  quantity 
and  persistence  as  that  of  Flandrines  of  the  same  size 
and  order. 


SMALL  SIZE. 


Same  as  for  Flandrines  of  the 
ame  size  and  order. 

BASTARDS. 

Bastards  of  this  class  can  be  rec- 
ognized by  the  Buttock  feathers,  c,c, 
when  these  reach  the  dimensions  of 


76  MILCH  cows. 

twelve  to  fifteen    ccntimetrea  {-L.S  to  G   in.)  in  length 
by  six  or  eight  (2.4  or  3.2  in.)  in  width. 

EIGHTH    CLASS. -SQUARE    COWS. 

The  name  is  sufficiently  explained  by  the  form  of  the 
escutcheon,  which,  at  the  top,  is  shaped  like  a  carpen- 
ter's square. 

LARGE  SIZE. 

First  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give,  when  in  full 
milking,  twenty-two  litres  (23  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  and 


continue  until  they  are  eight  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  epidermis  of  the  escutcheon  of  ascending  hair,  has 
the  same  color  as  in  the  first  orders  of  the  preceding 
classes,  the  udder  is  elastic,  and  covered  with  short  fine 
down.  The  escutcheon  starts  from  the  middle  of  the 
four  teats,  spreads  within  over  the  inner  part  of  the 
thighs,  stops  a  little  above  the  houghs,  and  expands  to 
the  points  marked  a,  a.  It  is  there  bounded  above  by  two 
horizontal  lines  starting  from  those  points,  and  re-enter- 
ing to  the  points,  j,  j,  whence  it  ascends,  as  in  the  Demi- 
john class,  to  within  five  or  six  centimetres  (2  to  2.4 


classifications". 


77 


in.)  of  the  vulva,  at  o,  from  which  point  a  horizontal 
band  turns  off  to  the  left  at  ]).  From  the  point,  ^, 
springs  a  vertical  line  rising  as  high  as  the  top  of  the 
vulva,  at  s,  forming,  with  the  preceding  band,  the  figure 
of  a  carpenter's  square.  Above  the  hinder  teats  are  two 
oval  feathers  marked  e,  as  in  the  first  orders  of  the  other 
classes.  Those  squares  which  approach  nearest  the  vulva, 
and  are  composed  of  the  finest  hair,  indicate  the  best 
milkers. 

Second  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  giv^e  eighteen  litres 
(19  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  continu- 
ing until  they  are  eight  months 
gone  with  calf.  The  escutcheon 
has  the  same  form  as  in  the  previ- 
ous order,  but  is  more  contracted 
in  all  its  parts.  The  square  is  fur- 
ther below  the  vulva,  and  the  as- 
cending fillet  consequently  longer. 
There  are  two  Oval  feathers,  e,  e, 
above  the  liinder  teats,  and  the  But- 
tock feather,  c,  is  found  on  the 
right  of  the  vulva. 

Third  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  fourteen  litres  (15  quarts)  of 
milk  daily,  continuing  until  they 
are  six  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
form  of  the  escutcheon  remains  the 
same,  but  is  still  more  contracted, 
the  square  has  fallen  to  three  deci- 
metres (12  in.)  below  the  vulva. 
To  the  right  of  the  vulva  is  a  feather, 
c,  of  ascending  hair  of  about  eight 
centimetres  (3.2  in.)  in  length  by 

two  and  a  half  (1  in.)  in  width.     On  the  left,  above  the 

teats,  is  found  the  Oval  feather,  marked  e. 


78 


MILCH    COWS. 


Fourth  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  ten  litres  (10y„  quarts)  of 
milk  daily,  continuing  nntil  they 
are  five  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  escutcheon  has  become  still 
smaller;  the  points,  a,  a,  are  lower- 
ed, and  the  square  has  descended. 
The  ascending  fillet,  on  reaching  the 
vulva,  is  formed  of  bristling  hairs, 
deviating  a  little  from  the  vertical 
as  they  ascend.     The  part  on  the 

right  is  also  elongated  and  bristling.     The  Thigh  feather 

or  gore  appears  at  g. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  seven  litres  (7  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continuing  until  they  are  four 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  lower 
part  of  the  escutcheon  is  greatly 
contracted,  and  forms  a  sort  of  tri- 
angle, truncated  and  rounded  off  at 
the  teats.  The  square  is  very  low, 
its  hair  is  coarse  and  bristling,  as 
is  that  of  the  feather  to  the  right 
of  the  vulva.  There  are  two 
Thigh  feathers  or  gores  at  g,  g. 

Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  four  litres  (4  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continuing  until  they  are 
three  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
form  of  the  escutcheon  is  scarcely 
distinguishable  on  the  animal;  the 
square  is  down  on  the  thighs.  The 
fillet  ascending  to  the  vulva  is 
more  bristling  and  larger  than  the 
feather  to  the  right. 


CLASSIFICATIOIS". 
MEDIUM  SIZE. 


79 


The  yield  of  cows  of  mediuni  size  is  the  same,  as  to 
quantity  and  persistence,  as  that  of  Left-hand  Flan- 
drines  of  the  same  size  and  order. 


SMALL  SIZE. 

Same  as  for  Left-hand  Flandrines  of  the  same  size 
and  order. 

BASTARDS. 

Bastards  of  Square  cows  are  dis- 
tinguished by  one  feature  only ;  the 
feather,  c,  to  the  right  of  the  vulva, 
is  of  bristling  hair.  This  feature 
indicates  degeneration  in  all  the 
orders,  a  degeneration  greater  or 
less  in  proportion  to  the  length  and 
width  of  the  escutcheon  and  the 
feather,  and  greatest  when  the  as- 
cending fillet,  to  the  left  of  the 
vulva,  is  of  bristling  liair  like  the 
feather   on  the   rio^ht. 


NINTH    CLASS.— LIMOUSINES. 


The  first  cow  of  this  class  which  came  under  my  ob- 
servation was  of  Limoges,  and  this  suggested  the  name 
of  the  class.  It  must  not,  however,  be  supposed  that  it 
is  confined  to  cows  of  that  province;  it  is  found  in  all 
breeds,  with  all  its  orders  and  their  characteristic  marks. 
The  escutcheon  of  Limousine  cows  assumes  the  form  of 
a  spear-point  or  arrow-head  as  it  ascends  toward  the 
vulva. 


80 


MILCH    COWS. 


LARGE   SIZE. 

First  Order. — Limousine  cows  of  large  size  give,  when 
in  full  milking,  twenty  litres  (21  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 
continumg  imtil  they  are  eight  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  skin  of  the  escutcheon  is  of  the  same  color  as  in  the 
preceding  classes;  the  udder  is  supple,  and  covered  with 
a  soft  silky  down.  The  escutcheon  starts  from  the  middle 
of  the  four  teats,  extends  within  and  above  the  houghs, 
ascending  and  expanding  over  the  thighs  as  far  as  the 
points,  fl,  a.     Two  transverse  lines  starting  from  these 


points,  re-enter,  sloping  a  little  downwards,  as  far  as  the 
points,  y,y,  which  are  about  a  decimetre  (4  in.)  apart. 
From  the  points,  j,  j,  arise  two  converging  lines,  meet- 
ing at  an  acute  angle  at  the  point  o,  about  a  decimetre 
(4  in.)  below  the  vulva.  On  the  right  and  left  of  the 
vulva  are  two  Buttock  feathers,  c,  c,  of  ascending  hair; 
these  are  about  five  centimetres  (2  in.)  long  by  about  one 
(0.4  in.)  wide.  Above  the  hinder  teats  are  two  Oval 
feathers  of  descending  hair,  marked  e,  e,  of  the  same 
dimensions  as  those  in  the  preceding  classes. 


CLASSIFICATION". 


81 


Second  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  sixteen  litres  (17  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  continue  until 
they  are  eight  months  gone  with 
calf.  The  escutcheon  of  this  order 
resembles  that  of  the  first,  but  is 
more  contracted.  The  lines,  a,j, 
are  horizontal  and  more  distant 
from  the  vulva.  The  feathers  to 
right  and  left  of  the  vulva  are 
longer  and  wider,  and  there  is  but 
a  single   Oval   feather    above   the   teats. 

Third  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  twelve  litres  (127,  quarts)  of 
milk  daily,  continuing  until  they 
are  six  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
escutcheon  is  still  more  contracted. 
The  Buttock  feather,  c,  of  ascending 
hair,  to  the  left  of  the  vulva,  is 
lonofer  and  wider  than  that  on  the 
right,  and  is  of  coarser  hair.  There 
is  no  Oval  feather  above  the  teats, 
and  the  point,  o,  is  further  re- 
moved  from   the   vulva. 

Fourth  Order. — Cows  of  this 
order  give  nine  litres  (9'/,  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  continue  until 
they  are  five  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  escutcheon  is  narrower  and 
lower.  The  points,  «,  a,  are  more 
depressed,  and  the  whole  escutch- 
eon takes  rather  a  rounded  form. 
The  point,  o,  is  still  nearer  the 
teats.  The  feathers  to  right  and  left 
of  the  vulva  are  of  bristling  hair; 


82 


MILCH   COWS. 


that  on  the  left  is  fifteen  centimetres  (6  in.)  long  and 
two  (0.8  in.)  wide;  that  on  the  right  is  eight  centimetres 
(3.2  in.)  long  by  two  (0.8  in.)  wide. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  six  litres  (G  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  continue  until  four 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  es- 
cutcheon is  now  quite  rounded. 
The  point,  o,  is  distant  from  the 
vulva.  Deep  between  the  thighs  ap- 
pear two  Thigh  feathers,  g,  of  de- 
scending hair,  of  greater  or  less 
size,  indicating  a  suppression  of 
milk.      The  Buttock    feathers    on 

each  side  of  the  vulva  are  larger  than  in  the  preceding 

order. 


Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  three  litres  (3  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  cease  milking  when 
three  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
escutcheon,  though  similar  in  form 
to  the  preceding,  is  .withdraw^n  so 
deeply  between  the  thighs  as  to  be 
scarcely  distinguishable.  The  But- 
tock feathers  are  longer,  wider, 
and  more  bristling,  a  sign  of  de- 
generation. 

MEDIUM  SIZE. 


First  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  fifteen  litres 
(16  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  and  continue  until  eight 
months  gone  with  calf. 

Second  Order. — Twelve  litres  (12'/^  quarts)  daily,  until 
seven  months  gone  with  calf. 


CLASSIFICATION.  83 

Third  Order. — Mne  litres  (9y„  quarts)  daily,  until  six 
months  with  calf. 

Fourth  Order. — Six  litres  (6  quarts)  daily,  until  five 
months  with  call 

Fifth  Order. — Three  litres  (3  quarts)  daily,  until  four 
months  with  calf. 

Sixth  Order. — Two  litres  (2  quarts)  daily,  until  three 
months  with  calf. 

SMALL     SIZE. 

First    Order. — Ten   litres   (lOy^  quarts)   daily,  until 
eight  months  with  calf. 

Second    Order. — Eight  litres    (8  quarts)  daily,   until 
seven  months  with  calf. 

Tliird    Order. — Six  litres  (6  quarts)  daily,  until   six 
months  with  calf. 

Fourth  Order. — Four  litres  (4  quarts)  daily,  until  five 
months  with  calf. 

Fifth  Order. — Two  litres  (2  quarts)  daily,  until  four 
months  with  calf. 

Sixth  Order. — One  litre  (1  quart)  daily,  until  three 
months  with  calf. 


BASTARDS. 

The  feathers  of  ascending  hair  to 
right  and  left  of  the  vulva,  marked 
c,  c,  have  the  same  length  and  width 
as  m  the  bastard  Curvelines  and 
Bicorns.  They  are  the  character- 
istic signs  of  bastard,  and  degen- 
erate cows  in  this  class. 


84 


MILCH   COWS. 


TENTH    CLASS.— CARRESINES. 

I  have  given  the  name  of  Carresines  to  those  cows 
whose  escutcheon  is  terminated  above  by  a  horizontal 
line. 

LARGE     SIZE. 

First  Order. — Cows  of  tliis  size  and  order  give,  when 
in  full  milking,  twenty  litres  (21  quarts)  of  milk  daily, 


and  continue  until  eight  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
escutcheon  of  this  class  differs  from  the  others  by  its  flat 
horizontal  top.  The  j^ellicles  which  can  be  detached 
from  it,  resemble  a  yellow  dust;  the  hair  is  short,  fine, 
and  silky.  The  escutcheon  starts  from  the  middle  of  the 
four  teats,  extends  within,  and  a  little  above  the  houghs, 
spreads  upon  the  thighs  as  it  ascends,  to  the  points  a,  a, 
where  it  is  bounded  by  a  horizontal  line  from  thigh  to 
thigh,  dividing  the  udder  in  the  middle.  Although  the 
escutcheon  of  this  class  is  farther  from  the  vulva  than  in 
any  of  the  others,  the  cows  are  none  the  less  good,  espec- 
ially when  they  have  two  Buttock  feathers,  c,  o,  of  as- 


CLASSIFICATIOiT.  85 

cending  hair,  to  right  and  left  of  the  vulva.  These 
feathers  indicate  the  continuance  of  milk  during  preg- 
nancy, they  measure  from  seven  to  eight  centimetres  (2. 8 
to  3. 2  in. )  in  length,  by  one  (0. 4  in. )  in  width.  Above  the 
hinder  teats  are  two  Oval  feathers  of  descending  hair,  of 
a  whitish  color,  and  of  the  same  size  as  in  the  preceding 
classes. 

Second  Order. — Cows  of  this  order  give  sixteen  litres 
(17  quarts)  of  milk  daily,  and  continue  until  seven 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  es- 
cutcheon has  the  same  form,  but  is 
more  contracted  below.  The  feath- 
ers to  right  and  left  of  the  vulva 
are  of  unequal  size,  that  to  the  right 
being  from  two  to  three  centimetres 
(0.8  to  1.2  in.)  shorter  than  the 
other.  There  is  but  one  Oval 
feather,  on  the  left  above  the  hinder 
teats.  Some  cows  of  this  class  have 
a  Dart  feather,  five  centimetres  (2 
in.)  long  by  one  centimetre  (0.4  in.)  wide,  situated 
immediately  beneath  the  vulva,  and  terminating  below  in 
a  point. 

Third  Order.  —  Cows  of  this  or- 
der give  twelve  litres  {V^^ / ^  quarts) 
of  milk  daily,  and  continue  until 
they  are  six  months  gone  with  calf. 
The  escutcheon  is  more  contracted, 
and  lower  than  in  the  preceding 
order.  On  each  side  of  the  vulva  is 
a  feather  of  ascending  hair,  of  eight 
to  ten  centimetres  (3.2  to  4  in.)  in 
length,  by  two  (0.8  in.)  in  width. 
The  escutcheon  is  deeply  indented 


8G 


MILCH   COWS. 


by  a  notcli  or  gore  on  one  side  below  the  point  a;  it  is  an 
encroachment  of  descending  hair. 
All  the  orders  of  this  class  are 
subject  to  this  imperfection. 

Fourth  Order. — Cows  of  this  or- 
der giye  nine  litres  (9'/^  quarts)  of 
milk  daily,  and  cease  milking  when 
five  months  gone  with  calf.  The 
escutcheon  has  descended  still  fur- 
ther, and  is  withdrawn  between  the 
thighs.     The   points,  «,  a,  do  not 

extend  upon  the  thighs.    The  feathers  of  ascending  hair, 

c,  to  right  and  left  of  the  vulva, 

are    bristling,   and   have    increased 

in  length  and  breadth.     The  Thigh 

feathers  take  irregular  forms. 

Fifth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  six  litres  (6  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  continuing  until  four  months 
gone  with  calf.  The  escutcheon  is 
greatly  contracted,  and  the  signs 
of  degeneration  are  still  more  con- 
spicuous. 

Sixth  Order. — Cows  of  this  order 
give  three  litres  (3  quarts)  of  milk 
daily,  and  cease  milking  when  three 
months  gone  with  calf.  The  es- 
cutcheon is  still  smaller  and  very 
low.  The  Buttock  feathers,  c,  c, 
are  more  developed  in  both  length 
and  breadth,  and  formed  of  brist- 
ling hair;  that  on  the  left  is  always 
longer  than  that  on  the  right,  and 
in  this  case  the  vield  of  milk  is  so 


CLASSIFICATION. 


87 


diminished  as  to  be  insignificant.  This  degeneration 
can  be  yet  more  considerable,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  plates 
appended  to  the  classification. 


MEDIUM     SIZE. 

The  yield  of  cows  of  this  size  is  the  same  as  to  quantity 
and  continuance,  as  with  Limousines  of  the  same  size 
and  order. 

SMALL     SIZE. 

The  same  as  with  Limousines  of  the  same  size  and 
order. 

BASTARDS. 


Bastards  of  this  class  have  the  two  Buttock  feathers 
of  ascending  hair,  from  twelve  to 
fifteen  centimetres  (4.8  to  6  in.) 
long.  Some  of  these  cows  are  ex- 
tremely good  milkers  when  fresh, 
but  they  cease  milking  in  a  few 
days  after  a  new  impregnation. 
Those  which  have  a  very  fine  down 
on  the  inside  of  the  thighs,  give  good 
milk;  while  the  milk  of  those  which 
have  the  hair  of  this  part  coarse, 
and  transparent,  is  thin  and  watery. 


MILCH    COWS. 


SYNOPTIC    TABLE,    EXHIBITING    THE    YIELD    OF    MILK    OF 
THE    TEN    CLASSES    OF    COWS. 

CDNTINUAXCE  OF  MILX  DURIXQ  PKEGXAXCT. 


Isi  Order. 
8  months. 


2d  Order.       MOrdcr.       ^thOrder.    I   Wi  Order.       Gth  Order. 
7  months.    6  months.     5  months.      4  months.     3  months. 


DAILY  YIELD  OF  MILK. 


§S 


Clasccs,  or  Families. 


Size  of  Ani- 
mals. 


l«t 

2-1 

3,1 

4th 

5<?i 

6th 

(h-' 

Or- 

Or- 

Or- 

Or- 

Or- 

der. 

der. 

der. 

der. 

der. 

der. 

Qts.    Qts.    Qts.     Qts.     Qts.     Qts. 


1      Flandrines 


i  Larffe  . 
Medium. 


2      Left-Hand  Flandrines. 


/  Small 
(  Lavo:e    . 
"I  Medium 
I  (Small  .. 
j  1  (  Larffe  . . 

3  Selvedsre i  Medium 

I  ^  I  Small  . . 

i  (  Laro^e  . . 

4  ;  Curvelines ■^,  Medium 

!  I  Small  . . 

i  i  Laroe  . . 

5  Bicorns •<  Medium 

(  Small  . . 

{Large  . . 
Medium 
,  Small  . . 
\  Large    . 

7  Demijohns -  Medium 

(  Small  . . 
(  Large  . . 

8  Square <  Medium 

,  (  Small  . . 

I  (  Large  . . 

9  Limousines i  Medium 

i  {  Small  . . 

{La  rare  . . 
Medium 
.Small  .. 


12i    lOi 
25     21 
20  ,  16 
15      lU 
25     21 
20      16 


15 

25 

20 

15 

23 

18 

12i 

25 

20 

15 

23 

18 

V2i 

21 

16 

lOi 

21 

16 

lOi 


lU 

21 

16 

Hi 

19 

15 

lOi 

21 

16 

Hi 

19 

15 

lOi 

17 

12i 

8 
17 
12i 

8  I 


17 
12i 

8 
15 
lOi      7 

7       4 
17     12i 
12i,     9i 


lOi 

7 

17 

32i 

8 


12h 
9i 
6 

lOi 


li 

6 

3 

7  i 
4  i 
2  I 
9i  I 


6 

12i 


8 
17 
12i     9i 

8       6 

17  '  12i 
12i     9i 

8       6 

15  lOi 


6 
3 

1 
4 
2 
1 
6 

6  ;  3 
3  I  1 
9i  6 
6  3 
3  '  1 
9i  6 
6  I  3 
3 


4 

12i 
9i 
6 


15     10* 
lOi      7 
7       4 
9i 
6 
4 
9i 
6 
4 


12i 
9i 
6 

12* 

9*j 
6  I 


Remark.— Bastard  Cows  of  all  the  classes  and  orders  only  differ  from 
"free"  cows  i:i  losing  their  milk  almost  immediately  after  a  new 
impregnation. 


ESCUTCHEONS. 


89 


ESCUTCHEONS     OMITTED    IN    THE    CLASSIFICATION, 

FORMING  THE  SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  ORDERS 

OF    EACH    CLASS. 

FIRST    CLASS.— FLANDRINES. 


Seventh  and  Eiglith  Orders. 


SECOND    CL  \SS.-LEFT-HAND    FLANDRINES. 


^Mm\'^       ^^^^<^ 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders 


THIRD    CLASS.— SELVEDGE. 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders. 


90 


MILCH   COWS. 
FOURTH    CLASS.— CUKVELINES. 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders. 


FIFTH    CLASS.— BICORNS. 


f 


I 

1 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders. 


SIXTH    CLASS. -DOUBLE    SELVEDGE. 


i 


n^KkJ^        a^i^^^ 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders. 


EgCUTCHEONS. 
SEVENTH    CLASS.— DEMIJOHNS. 


f  If 

If  q 


91 


ft^ff^a         '^d^kff 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders, 


EIGHTH    CLASS.-SQUARE    COWS. 


IF 


I 


A.,^Ak« 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders 


NINTH    CLASS.— LIMOUSINES. 


I    i 


a.^^^^'       ^.^m^' 


Seventh  and  Eighth  Orders. 


92 


MILCH    COWS. 
TENTH    CLASS.— CARRESINES. 


Seventh  and  Eiglitli  Orders. 

These  supplementary  orders  being  of  rather  rare  oc- 
currence, I  have  figured  them  liero  as  an  appendix  to 
the  classification. 


NEW    ESCUTCHEONS     REFERRED 
TO  IN  THE  INTRODUCTION. 


CROSS     OF      SELVEDGE     AND 
HAND    FLANDRINE. 


LEFT- 


Cows  of  this  description  are  tol- 
erably common  in  certain  breeds, 
and  especially  those  of  the  north- 
east of  France. 


CROSS   OF    BICORN   AND   SELVEDGE. 


The  Dart  feather,  as  I  call  it, 
which  may  be  seen  at  n,  adhering 
to  the  vulva,  is  a  favorable  indica- 
tion, and  may  occur  in  any  of  those 
classes  in  which  the  escutcheon  does 
not  reach  the  vulva.  Cows  which 
have  either  of  the  escutcheons  last 
given  are  usually  good  milkers,  and 
preserve  their  milk  like  those  of 
the  first  orders  of  each  class. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


BULLS    AND    THEIR    CLASSIFICATION. 

Summary.— Of  Bulls  in  ft-eneral.— Classification  of  bulls  for  breeding.— 
First  Class  ;  Flaudrine  Bulls.— Second  Class  ;  Left-hand  Flan- 
drincs.— Third  Class  ;  Selvedge.— Fourth  Class;  Cur"elines.— Fifth 
Class;  Bicorns.— Sixth  Class;  Double  Selvedge.— Seventh  Class; 
Demijohns.— Eighth  Class;  Square.— Ninth  Class  ;  Limousines.— 
Tenth  Class  ;  Carresiucs. 

OF    BULLS    IN    GENERAL. 

Having  described  in  the  preceding  chapter  the  various 
orders  of  cows,  and  explained  the  manner  of  distino-uish- 
ing  the  bastards  of  each  class,  I  pass  to  the  distinctive 
signs  found  in  bulls,  which  also  may  be  divided  into 
classes  and  orders.  The  signs  are  similar  to  those  of 
cows,  but  much  more  contracted,  that  is,  the  surface  ex- 
hibiting them  is  smaller.  In  bulls,  the  escutcheon  starts 
just  above,  and  within  the  houghs,  spreads  over  the 
hinder  surface  of  the  thighs,  and  in  the  higher  orders  of 
certain  classes,  ascends  as  high  as  the  anus.  As  with 
cows,  the  escutcheons  of  bulls  are  modified  by  the  presence 
of  feathers.  Those  bulls  whose  escutcheons,  in  form  and 
dimensions,  resemble  those  of  cows  of  the  higher  orders, 
are  well  adapted  to  the  procreation  of  offspring  of  good 
milking  qualities;  while  those,  on  the  contrary,  whose 
escutcheon  is  but  little  developed,  will  only  produce  de- 
generate offspring. 

A  bull  is  well  marked,  and  shows  the  indications  of  a 

good  calf-getter,  when  there  is  no  invasion  of  descending 

hair  into  the  ascending  hair  of  his  escutcheon;  w^hen  the 

escutcheon  is  of  large  dimensions,  in  proportion  to  the 

(93) 


94  MILCH    COWS. 

size  of  the  animal,  and  is  covered  with,  very  fine  hair. 
Those  which  have  small  escutcheons  covered  with  hair 
that  flares  off  toward  the  sides,  will  beget  offspring  of 
bad  milking  qualities,  and  yielding  poor  and  watery  milk. 
Every  invasion  of  the  escutcheon  by  descending  hair,  on 
the  right,  left,  and  inner  surface  of  the  thighs,  foretells 
bastardy  and  degeneration  of  milking  qualities  of  the  off- 
spring. A  yellowish  or  nankeen  color  of  the  skin  of  the 
escutcheon,  is  a  favorable  indication.  A  bull  of  good 
procreative  qualities  may  occasionally  retain  his  fertility 
until  from  ten  to  fifteen  years  of  age,  but  these  cases  are 
rare  exceptions.  It  is  a  great  mistake  to  judge  the  pro- 
creative  powers  of  a  bull  by  the  form,  build,  and  general 
appearance;  experience,  or  scientifically  directed  observa- 
tions alone,  can  inform  us  on  this  point.  A  bull  of  good 
age  and  condition  is  able  to  serve  several  cows  daily,  but 
it  is  important  that  he  should  not  be  admitted  to  the  fe- 
male until  he  has  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  to  eighteen 
months.  If  he  be  used  too  soon,  he  will  exhaust  his 
vigor,  and  impair  his  form;  his  growth  and  develojoment 
will  be  checked.  In  many  provinces  the  bulls  are  allowed 
to  serve  cows  for  a  period  of  only  twelve  or  fifteen  months; 
this  is  especially  the  case  with  those  animals  that  are 
intended  for  labor  or  slaughter. 

When  the  bull  has  reached  the  age  of  from  eighteen 
months  to  three  years,  his  figure  changes,  his  hind- 
quarters become  relatively  narrower,  while  his  fore- 
quarters  are  greatly  developed,  his  neck  grows  thick  and 
massive,  etc.  If  at  this  period  he  is  castrated,  whether 
by  removing  the  testicles,  or  cutting  the  spermatic  cords 
{histournage,)  he  retains  this  form,  and  is  less  fit  for 
work,  and  less  desirable  for  butchering.  Moreover,  when 
castration  is  deferred  too  long,  the  animal  has  less  ten- 
dency to  fatten,  his  meat  is  tough  and  leathery,  although 
in  external  apjoearance,  in  age,  and  in  feeding,  he  should 
differ  in  no  respect  from  animals  castrated  earlier. 


BULLS   AND   THEIR   CLASSIFICATION.  95 

It  often  happens  that  bulls  of  quiet  and  gentle  disposi- 
tion become  fierce  and  wild  after  being  admitted  to  the 
cows.  In  some  provinces  a  ring  of  iron,  passed  through 
the  septum  of  the  nose,  is  used  to  control  these  refractory 
animals;  but  where  the  use  of  this  expedient  is  not  known, 
castration  is  the  only  resource,  and  if  it  fails,  they  must 
be  handed  over  to  the  butcher. 


CLASSIFICATION    OF    BULLS. 

Bulls,  like  cows,  may  be  ranged  in  ten  classes  or  fami- 
lies, of  which  each  class  comprises  several  orders,  and 
every  order  three  sizes:  large,  medium,  and  small.  I 
shall,  however,  only  distinguish  three  orders  in  each  class, 
w^hich  I  shall  designate  as  Good,  Fair,  and  Bad.  If  it 
were  desired  to  carry  the  subdivision  closer,  the  same 
distinctions  could  be  observed  as  in  cows.  The  signs 
which  in  a  bull  indicate  the  property  of  procreating  off- 
spring of  good  milking  qualities,  are  situated  in  the  same 
region  as  the  signs  of  the  females.  The  escutcheon  starts 
from  the  fore-part  of  the  scrotum,  extends  within  and 
above  the  houghs,  and  spreads  out  upon  the  thighs,  from 
which  point  lines,  curved,  straight,  or  angular,  accord- 
ing to  the  class,  ascend,  and  meet  below  the  anus. 

The  escutcheon,  throughout  its  wiiole  extent,  should 
be  marked  by  fineness  of  skin  and  hair,  and  by  a  more  or 
less  yellow  tint  of  the  epidermis  and  the  pellicles,  which 
may  be  detached  from  it. 

The  secondary  signs  on  cows  are  also  found  on  the  bulls. 
Bulls  have  four,  and  sometimes  six,  small  rudimentary 
teats,  situated  in  front  of  the  scrotum.  On  the  right  and 
left  sides  of  the  belly  may  be  seen  two  veins  analogous  to 
the  milk- veins  of  cows,  which,  starting  from  the  scrotum, 
extend  a  little  further  forward  than  the  navel,  and  end  in 
a  small  cavitv. 


96  MILCH    COWS. 

Besides  the  characteristic  cigns  referred  to  ahove,  a 
bull  for  procreation  should  unite  all  those  qualities  which 
together  constitute  the  pure  type  of  the  breed  to  which 
he  belongs.     These  are: — 

1. — The  color  preferred  in  the  breed. 

2. — Size  proportioned  to  the  breed,  and  the  regular  and 
typical  form  and  build  well  established. 

o. — To  be  of  the  first  order  of  the  class  to  which  he  be- 
longs, that  he  may  transmit  the  best  milking  qualities  to 
his  progeny. 

4. — Tendency  to  fatten. 

5. — Suitability  for  work. 

6.  —A  gentle  and  docile  disposition. 

Defects  of  organization,  like  good  qualities,  are  hered- 
itary, and  unless  this  cardinal  fact  be  borne  in  mind,  all 
attempts  to  imj^rove  a  breed  will  be  fruitless. 

Down  to  the  present  time  too  httle  care  and  attention 
have  been  given  to  the  selection  of  bulls  for  reproduction, 
and  the  result  has  been  a  lamentable  degeneration,  which 
should  be  arrested  as  promptly  as  possible.  To  this  end  I 
earnestly  invite  the  attention  of  the  administration,  both 
general  and  local,  to  a  system  capable  of  rendering  so  im- 
portant a  service  to  the  country  as  an  increased  production 
of  the  best  animals  for  the  pail  and  for  the  butcher. 

In  all  breeds,  the  greater  number  of  bulls  will  be  found 
to  belong  to  the  following  classes,  arranged  in  order  of 
frequency:  —  !.  Curvelines.  2.  Limousines.  3.  Carre- 
sines. 

The  classes  which  will  be  found  to  have  but  few  repre- 
sentatives, are  the  following:  -  4.  Demijohns.  5.  Bi- 
corns.  6.  Square.  7.  Selvedge.  8.  Left-hand  Flandrines. 
9.  Double  Selvedge.     10.   Flandrines. 

To  explain  the  reason  why  bulls  of  the  best  reproductive 
qualities,  and  belonging  to  the  higher  orders  of  their  re- 
spective classes,  are  so  rare,  we  must  consider,  first,  their 


BULLS    AN^D   THEIR   CLASSIFICATION".  97 

small  number  as  compared  with  cows,  and,  secondly,  the 
impossibility  which  has  hitherto  existed  of  recognizing 
what  calves  should  be  saved  for  the  purposes  of  reproduc- 
tion. For  want  of  this  knowledge  the  best  animals  have 
been,  and  still  are,  sent  to  the  butcher,  or  castrated  when 
young;  and,  most  frequently,  those  which  have  been 
saved  for  propagation  were  those  least  fitted  for  the 
purpose. 

For — and  this  should  be  noted — animals  of  the  higher 
orders  possess,  at  the  yery  birth,  those  qualities  which 
confer  superiority  :  they  are  easily  roared,  and,  as  the 
mother  has  abundance  of  milk,  they  soon  fatten,  and  are 
selected  for  the  butcher;  wdiile,  on  the  other  hand,  calves 
of  lower  orders,  not  fattening  well,  are  not  so  saleable, 
and  so  are  allowed  to  become  propagators.  From  such 
an  unnatural  selection  and  survival  of  the  unfittest, 
nothing  but  degeneration  can  be  expected. 

The  first  thing,  therefore,  to  be  done  to  improve  our 
breeds,  is  to  amend  this  practice,  and  to  learn  to  select, 
at  the  earliest  age,  those  animals  which  will  transmit 
good  qualities  to  their  offspring. 

FIRST    CLASS— FLANDRINE    BULLS. 

These  bulls  haye  the  escutcheon  of  the  same  form  as 
that  borne  by  that  class  of  cows  which  I  have  called 
Flandrines.  I  place  them  at  the  head  of  the  list  because 
they  are  best  fitted  to  transmit  good  milking  qualities  to 
their  progeny;  but  I  must  say  that  they  are  extremely 
rare,  both  in  French  and  foreign  breeds ;  and  in  all  the 
districts  which  I  have  visited,  I  have  seen  but  yery  few. 

As  I  have  said,  I  divide  each  class  into  three  orders. 
Good,  Fair,  and  Bad.  I  also  distinguish  three  sizes: — 
Large  animals,  by  which  I  mean  those  which,  at  full 
development,  will  yield  five  hundred  kilogrammes  (1,100 
lbs.)  of  clear  meat,  on  an  average.  Medium,  or  those 
5 


98 


MILCH    COWS. 


Tvbich^  under  the  same  conditions,  will  yield  four  hundred 
kilogi'ammes  (880  lbs. ).  And  small,  those  which  will  yield 
from  two  hundred  to  two  liundred  and  fifty  kilogrammes 
(440  to  550  lbs). 

I  make  no  distinction  between  these  sizes  in  my  de- 
scrij^tion  of  the  escutcheons,  and  I  limit  my  descriptions 
to  the  three  principal  orders  of  each  class,  leaving  it  to 
experts,  if  they  choose,  to  determine  the  degrees  interme- 
diate between  Good  and  Fair,  and  Fair  aud  Bad. 

FIRST    ORDER. — GOOD. 

Bulls  of  this  class  and  order  may  be  recognized  by  the 
escutcheon  of  similar  pattern  to  that  of  cows  of  the  same 


order  and  class.  It  is  merely  less  extended  in  all  its 
parts,  for  the  reason  that  the  tissues  which  inclose  the 
generative  organs  in  the  bull  are  less  developed  than  those 
enveloping  the  milk-giving  apparatus  of  the  cow.  The 
feathers  of  ascending  hair,  forming  the  design,  start  from 
the  lower  part  of  the  scrotum,  expand  to  left  and  right 
as  they  ascend  within  and  above  the  houghs,  spread  out 


BULLS   AND   THEIR   CLASSIFICATION.  99 

on  either  side,  about  midway  of  the  buttocks,  to  the  points 
a,  a,  where  the  outline  makes  two  re-entering  angles,  and 
from  the  middle  two  lines  arise,  terminating  at  the  anus 
with  a  breadth  of  from  two  to  three  centimetres  (0.8  to 
1.2  in. )  each. 

The  skin  covering  the  scrotum  should  be  supple,  fine, 
and  covered  with  a  short  and  silky  or  cottony  hair,  rather 
sparse  than  thick.  The  color  should  be  of  a  shaded, 
velvety,  yellowish  tint,  such  as  I  have  described  when 
speaking  of  cows.  The  fine  pellicles  wdiich  may  be  de- 
tached from  it,  should  be  unctuous  to  the  touch.  In  a 
word,  in  these  bulls  should  be  found  all  the  characteristics 
of  the  higher  orders  of  cows,  as  these  characteristics  in 
the  male  indicate  the  transmission  of  good  milking  qual- 
ities to  his  progeny. 

SECOND    ORDER.— FAIR. 

The  escutcheon  is  less  developed  and  less  extended  in 
all  its  parts  :  the   points,  a,  a,  are  lower  and  nearer 
together  ;  the  ascending  band  is  nar- 
rower, with  bristling  hair,  especially 
on  the  right  side ;  only  on  the  left 
does  it  rise  as  high  as  the  anus.     On 
the  inside  of  the    thigh,  about  the 
middle   of    the    escutcheon,    to   the 
right,    will     be    observed    an    Oval 
feather,  e,  of  descending  hair,  from 
three  to  four  centimetres  (1.2  to  1.6 
in.)  wide,  by  from  five  to  six  (2  to 
2.4  in.)  long.     This  denotes  inferior- 
ity in  the  progeny,  especially  when  this  feather  is  large, 
and  covered  with  long,  thick  hair. 

As  a  general  rule,  in  all  the  classes  and  orders,  when  this 
feather  is  found  not  merely  on  one  thigh,  but  on  both, 
the  animal  should  be  ranked  one  or  more  orders  lower, 


100 


MILCH   COWS. 


according  to  the  size  of  the  feather.  For  the  dimensions 
of  the  escutcheon,  the  second  order  of  bulls  may  be  com- 
pared with  the  third  or  fourth  order  of  cows  of  the  same 
class. 


THIRD    ORDER. — BAD. 

The  escutcheon  is  greatly  con- 
tracted; it  is  limited  to  the  lower 
part  of  the  thighs,  and  ascends  very 
little  upon  the  scrotum,  a  few  brist- 
ling hairs  alone  indicate  its  presence. 
The  third  order  of  bulls  may  be  com- 
pared, with  reference  to  the  size  of 
the  escutcheon,  w^ith  the  sixth  order 
of  cows. 


SECOND   CLASS.-LEFT-HAND  FLANDRINE   BULLS. 

Although  rare,  these  are  found  more  frequently  in  all 
breeds  than  those  of  the  preceding  class. 

FIRST    ORDER. — GOOD. 


Bulls  of  this  order  and  class  have  all  the  characteristics 
of  cows  of  the  first  order  of  the  second  class. 

The  escutcheon  of  ascending  hair  starts  from  above  the 
inner  surface  of  the  houghs,  spreading  as  it  ascends,  as 
far  as  the  middle  of  the  thigh,  where  it  forms  angles  at 
the  points  a,  a.  It  there  re-enters  upon  the  inner  surface 
of  the  thighs,  and  narrows  to  a  vertical  band  whicli 
ascends  on  the  left  buttock  as  high  as  the  anus,  and  ends 
with  a  breadth  of  from  three  to  four  centimetres  (1.2  to 
1.6  in.)  On  the  right  side  a  horizontal  line  starts  from 
the  point  a,  runs  to  the  juncture  of  the  thighs,  where  it 


BULLS   AND   THEIR   CLASSIFICATION. 


101 


joins  the  vertical  ctripe,  and  terminates  at  the  middle  of 
the  anus.     All  the  characteristics  of  the  hair  and  skin 


should  be  the  same  as  those  of  the  first  order  and  first  class. 

SECOND    ORDER. — FAIR. 

The  escutcheon  is  less  developed 
and  smaller  than  that  of  the  first 
order:  the  angles,  a,  a,  are  lower, 
and  rounded  off.  The  line  of  ascend- 
ing hair  on  the  left  thigh  disappears 
when   about   half-way  to  the   anus. 


THIRD    ORDER. — BAD. 

The  escutcheon,  greatly  contract- 
ed, merely  forms  an  oval  inclosing 
the  scrotum  a  few  centimetres  above 
the  testicles ;  from  its  upper  part 
starts  a  line  of  bristling  hair,  very 
imperfectly  traced,  which  narrows  as 
it  ascends  toward  the  left  side  of  the 
anus,  where  it   is   no  longer  visible. 


102 


MILCH   COWS. 


THIRD  CLASS.— SELVEDGE  BULLS, 

Though  by  no  means  numerous,  these  bulls  are  more 
frequently  met  with  than  those  of  the  two  preceding 
classes. 

FIRST    ORDER. — GOOD. 

The  escutcheon  has  the  same  form  as  that  of  cows  of 
the  second  class  and  order ;  it  starts  from  the  lower  part 


of  the  scrotum,  spreads  to  each  side  within  the  thighs, 
and  ascends,  widening,  to  the  points  a,  a.  From  these 
pomts  start  two  re-entering  lines  running  toward  the 
juncture  of  the  thighs  to  within  ten  centimetres  (i  in.) 
of  the  median  ime,  whence  start  two  lines  of  ascending 
hair  converging  to  the  anus  and  forming  a  fillet  which  at 
its  termination  has  a  breadth  of  from  one  to  two  centi- 
metres (0.4  to  0.8  in.). 

The  character  of  hair  and  skin  should  be  the  same  as 
in  the  preceding  classes. 


BULLS   AND   THEIR   CLASSIFICATION". 


103 


SECOND    ORDER. — FAIR. 

The  escutclieon  is  narrow  and 
less  developed;  the  points  a,  a,  are 
lowered  and  rounded.  The  fillet 
narrows  as  it  approaches  the  anus, 
and  is  more  slen- 
der than  in  the 
preceding  order. 


THIRD    ORDER.— BAD. 

The  escutcheon  is  still  more  de- 
pressed, and  terminates  above  in  a 
thin,  broken  line,  which  ends  several 
centimetres  below  the  anus. 

FOURTH  CLASS.-CURVELINE  BULLS. 
To  this  class  most  bulls  in  all  breeds  will  be  found  to 
belong. 

FIRST  ORDER.— GOOD. 

The  form  of  the  escutcheon  is  the  same  as  that  of  cows 


of  the  same  class  ;  the  larger  its  extent,  the  greater  the 
aptitude  of  the  animal  to  transmit  good  milking  quahties 


104 


MILCH   COWS. 


to  his  progeny.   The  fineness  of  the  ascending  hair,  supple- 
ness of  the  skin,  and  yellower  color,  all  indicate  superiority. 

SECOND  ORDER.— FAIR. 

The  escutcheon  is  more  contract- 
ed in  all  its  dimensions,  and  is  more 
\yithdra\yn  with- 


in the  thighs. 
The  points,  a,  a, 
are  rounded  and 
lowered. 


THIRD   ORDER.— BAD. 

The  escutcheon  is  now  shrunk  to 

the  space  immediately  inclosing  the 

scrotum. 

FIFTH  CLASS.— BICORN  BULLS. 

Bulls  of  this  class  are  not  often  met  with.  When  they 
unite  all  the  characteristics  of  cows  of  the  first  order  of 
the  class,  they  are  well  adapted  to  produce  offspring  of 
good  milking  qualities. 

FIRST  ORDER. — GOOD. 


Escutcheon  the  same  m  pattern  as  that  of  cows  of  the 


BULLS   AND   THEIR   CLASSIFICATIOX.  105 

first  order  of  the  class.  Its  upper  margin  is  prolonged 
into  two  points  or  horns  of  ten  to  twelve  centimetres  (4 
to  4.8  in.)  in  length,  by  about  two  (0.8  in.)  in  width; 
that  on  the  left  is  the  longer.  The  nearer  these  horns 
approach  the  anus,  and  the  greater  the  spread  of  the 
lower  part  of  the  escutcheon  upon 
the  thighs,  the  better  will  be  the 
progeny. 

SECOND  ORDER. — FAIR. 

Escutcheon  lower  and  more  con- 
tracted in  all  its 
parts;  left  horn 
higher  than  the 
right. 

THIRD  ORDER. — BAD. 

Escutcheon  quite  shrunken.  The 
two  horns  are  scarcely  distinguish- 
able, having  drawn  nearer  togetlier, 
and  sunk  almost  to  the  scrotum. 


SIXTH  CLASS.— DOUBLE  SELVEDGE  BULLS. 

Bulls  of  this  class  are  almost  as  scarce,  in  all  breeds,  as 
the  Elandrines,  and  it  would  be  well  to  take  some  pains 
to  look  for  and  preserve  them,  with  a  view  to  the  improve- 
ment of  the  stock. 

FIRST  ORDER. — GOOD. 

The  escutcheon  of  this  class  appears  at  first  glance  ver}' 
closely  to  resemble  that  of  the  Elandrines.  It  is  divided 
into  two  equal  parts  by  a  band  of  downward-growing  hair, 
which,  starting  from  the  anus,  descends  vertically  to  the 


106  MiLcn  cows. 

testicles.     The  more  shari)lj  marked  this  division,  and 


the  finer  the  texture  and  color  of  the  hair  and  skin,  the 
better  the  animal. 


SECOND   ORDER.— FAIR. 

The  lower  part  of  the  escutcheon 
is  rounded  and  depressed ;  the  left- 
hand  fillet  alone  ascends  to  the  anus, 
while  that  on  the  right  stops  mid- 
way. Both  fillets  are  nearer  the 
median  line  than  in  the  preceding 
order. 


THIRD   ORDER.— BAD. 

Escutcheon  still  more  depressed, 
and  the  fillets  narrower  and  closer 
than  in  the  preceding  order.  That 
on  the  right  ends  at  about  two-thirds 
the  distance  from  the  anus,  and  that 
on  the  left  at  about  one-third.  They 
are,  however,  in  some  sort  continued 
bv  a  few  bristlinsr  hairs. 


BULLS   AND   TnEIR   CLxVSSIFICATION".  107 

SEVENTH  CLASS.— DEMIJOHN  BULLS. 

Bulls  of  this  class  are  rather  scarce,  but  are  more  fre- 
quently met  with  than  those  of  the  preceding. 

FIRST  ORDER.— GOOD. 

The  escutcheon  is  identical  with  that  of  cows  of  the 
same  class  and  order ;  the  down  which  clothes  it  and  the 


perineeum  above  as  high  as  the  amis,  is  fine,  silky,  and 
velvety.     The  color  of  the  epidermis  is  yellowish,  as  is 
that  of  the  unctuous  dust  which  may  be  detached  from  it. 
Bulls  of  this  order,  combining  in  a  high  degree  the 
characteristics  above  mentioned,  are 
well  adapted  to  transmit  good  milk- 
ing qualities. 

SECOND    ORDER. — FAIR. 

The  escutcheon,  depressed  in  all 
its  parts,  presents  the  form  of  a  small 
obese  jar  or  demijohn. 


108 


MILCH   COWS. 


THIRD     ORDER. — BAD. 


Escutcheon  still  more  depressed, 
and  greatly  shrunken.  Its  form  is 
usually  irregular. 


EIGHTH  CLASS.— SQUAKE  BULLS. 

These  are  still  rarer  in  all  breeds  than  the  Bicorns 
and  Demijohns;  they  are  met  with,  however,  now  and 
then,  and  those  of  the  first  order  are  good  propagators. 


FIRST      ORDER. — GOOD. 


The  form  of  the  escutcheon  is  the  same  in  its  lower 
part  as  that  of  the  Selvedge  class;  but  the  band  of  ascend- 


ing hair  is  interrupted  about  six  or  eight  centimetres 
(2.4  or  3.2  in.)  below  the  anus,  and  takes  the  form  of  a 
square,  or  bayonet  turned  to  the  left,  on  which  side  it 


BULLS   AN^D   THEIR   CLASSIFICATION". 


109 


rises  as  high  as  the  anus.     In  other  respects,  the  marks 
are  the  same  as  those  of  cows  of  the  same  class  and  order. 


SECOND      ORDER.— FAIR. 

The  base  of  the  escutcheon  is 
rounded  and  depressed,  as  in  the 
same  order  of  other  classes.  The  line 
which  turns  to  the  left  to  form  the 
square,  starts  at  about  fifteen  centi- 
metres (6  in.)  below  the  anus,  and 

ll   the   point   rising  like  a  bayonet,  is 

^^   broken  at  the  upper  part. 


THIRD     ORDER. — BAD. 

Escutcheon  still  more  contracted 
and  depressed;  the  square  scarcely 
perceptible,  and  the  rising  point  be- 
comes a  broken  line  of  bristles. 


NINTH    CLASS.— LIMOUSINE    BULLS. 

These  are  of  frequent  occurrence  in  all  races.  They  can 
only  be  considered  good  when  the  escutcheon  is  well  de- 
veloped, and  presents  the  characteristics  of  the  first  order. 

FIRST     ORDER. — GOOD. 


Form  of  the  escutcheon  the  same  as  with  cows  of  the 
first  order  of  the  class.  The  spear-shaped  ascending  point 
should   reach  within  about  a   decimetre   (4  in. )  of   the 


110  MILCH    COWS. 

anus,  and  be  formed  of  short,  fine,  and  silky  hair.     The 


skin  should  have  the  fineness,  color,  and  unctuous  feel  of 
the  first  orders. 


SECOND    ORDER.— FAIR. 

Escutcheon  contracted;  the  angles 
lower  and  rounded  off;  the  spear- 
shaped  point  is  smaller,  and  more 
distant  from  the  anus. 


THIRD     ORDER. — BAD. 

Escutcheon  still  more  depressed, 
and  shrunken  in  all  its  parts;  it 
barely  incloses  the  scrotum. 


BULLS   AND   THEIR    CLASSIFICATION.  Ill 

TENTH    CLASS.— CAERESINE    BULLS. 

These  bulls  are  numerous  in  all  breeds;  they  are  only 
good  when  the  escutcheon  has  all  the  characteristics  of 
that  of  cows  of  the  first  order  of  this  class. 


FIRST      ORDER.— GOOD. 

^    The  escutcheon  starts  from  the  testicles,,  and  rises  to 
about  a  decimetre  (4  in.)  above  the  scrotum;  a  transverse 


line  bounds  it  at  the  top,  reaching  to  the  points  a,  a,  on 
the  thighs.  As  in  the  other  classes,  the  hair  ascends 
within  and  above  the  houghs,  and  spreads  upon  the 
thighs  to  the  points  a,  a.  Bulls  of  the  first  order  should 
have  the  inner  surface  and  juncture  of  the  thighs  of  a 
yellowish  color,  as  in  cows  of  the  first  order  of  the  same 
class. 


V.2 


MILCH    COWS. 


SECOND     ORDER. — FAIR. 

The  escutcheon  preserves  the  same 
form  and  color,  but  is  smaller.  Under 
the  point  a,  on  the  right  side,  is 
found  the  thigh  feather. 


THIRD     ORDER. — BAD. 


Escutcheon  still  more  contracted;  it  only  covers  the 
surface   of    the    scrotum,    which    it 
seems  to   separate  from   the  surface 
above,  by  a  horizontal  line. 

I  close  this  chapter,  which  com- 
pletes my  general  classification,  with 
one  earnest  request  to  the  reader 
who  is  seriously  interested  in  the 
subject,  to  neglect  none  of  the  de- 
tails which  it  contains;  it  is  only  after 
having  followed  up  my  v/ork  from 
point  to  point,  and  familiarized  him- 
self with  the  application  of  my  method,  that  he  can 
become  a  thoroughly  qualified  judge. 


BOOK     II. 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE  FOUR  CONDITIONS  WHICH  ANIMALS  OF  EITHER 
SEX  SHOULD  UNITE  TO  FORM  THE  PERFECT  TYPE. 

1. — Handsome  build  and  regular  proportions. 

2. — Escutcheon  of  the  first  order  of  its  class. 

3. — Aptitude  for  fattening. 

4, — Gentleness  of  disposition. 

The  combination  of  these  quahties  forms  the  perfect 
type. 


(113) 


CHAPTER     11. 

OF  HANDSOME  AND  UGLY  TYPES. 

Summary. — Handsome    Types. — Ugly  Types. — Conclusion. — Points  of 
a  handsome  Type. 

HANDSOME    TYPES. 

That  attraction  which  beauty  of  form  exercises  upon 
us,  at  the  first  glance,  is  a  thing  which  no  one  can  con- 
temn; yet  abundant  experience  has  shown  that  in  many 
respects  the  goodness  of  an  animal  is  independent  of  its 
beauty.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  true  that  extreme  ugli- 
ness borders  very  closely  on  certain  defects  of  conforma- 
tion, the  transmission  of  which  to  the  progeny  is  to  be 
feared,  and  should  be  avoided  if  possible. 

In  certain  localities,  preference  is  given  to  particular 
forms,  colors,  configuration  of  head  or  horns,  etc.,  and 
types  which  unite  these  peculiarities,  are  those  which 
breeders  aim  at  perpetuating.  But,  as  I  have  said  before, 
the  perfection  and  extent  of  the  milk  escutcheon,  the  de- 
velopment of  the  manets  (described  hereafter),  the  muscu- 
lar strength,  or  fitness  for  work,  and  docility  of  disposi- 
tion, should  be  more  regarded  than  mere  beauty  of  form. 

Still  there  is  a  type  of  bovine  beauty  which  all  judges 
recognize.  All  agree  in  admiring  those  animals,  of  either 
sex,  which  have  a  straight  back,  wide  shoulders  and  loins, 
haunches  not  too  prominent,  slender  bones,  round  sides, 
short  and  full  neck,  narrow  flanks.  Tail  thick  at  its  root, 
and  thin  near  the  switch,  well  set  on,  neither  too  high  nor 
too  low.  Houghs  flat,  broad,  a  little  arched  backwards. 
Buttocks  round,  thigh  well  thickened  down  toward  the 
hough.  Fore-legs  well  set  apart,  and  very  slightly  bent  in- 
wards (knock-kneedj.  Chest  wide  and  deep,  well  carried 
forward,  and  developed  at  the  curve  about  twenty  centi- 
(114) 


OF    HANDSOME   AND   UGLY   TYPES.  115 

metres  (8  iu. )  from  the  knee.  Dewlap  of  medium  size, 
and  handsome  shape.  Head  short  and  square.  Eyes  large 
and  prominent.  Nostrils  wide.  Muzzle  fine  and  slightly 
turned  up  (camard).  Lips  small  and  regular.  Ear  furry, 
with  long  hairs  in  the  interior  (a  sign  of  strength  and 
energy)— finally,  an  unctuous  epidermis.  Horns  fine,  and 
of  medium  length,  and  the  tuft  between  the  horns  not 
very  long-haired. 

UGLY    TYPES. 

Those  animals  are  displeasing  to  the  eye,  which  have 
protuberences  on  the  back,  flat  sides,  long  flanks,  thin 
thighs.  The  croupe  swollen  out,  or  hollowed  ont.  Head 
long  or  too  stumpy,  pointed  muzzle.  Horns  disproportion- 
ately large,  and  long.  Projecting  bones.  Narrow  chest. 
Too  much  dewlap  or  none.  Hind-legs  too  much  bent  or 
too  straight.  Hoofs  flattened  out  as  if  crushed  by  the 
heavy  and  clumsy  tread.  It  is  true  that  an  individual 
may  have  these  deformities,  and  yet  possess  valuable 
qualities;  but  in  breeding  these  types  should  be  shunned, 
as  the  progeny  will  be  degenerate. 

CONCLUSION. 

In  breeding  we  should  select  animals  of  the  handsom- 
est type.  In  young  animals  we  look  for  slender  legs, 
round  feet,  hoofs  and  false  hoofs  {onglo7is)  short,  whfch 
predict  a  great  development  in  size.  Thin  and  flexible 
skin,  fine  hair,  bristling  a  little,  or  cottony,  silky,  or 
curly,  are  indications  of  good  health,  and  a  gentle,  docile 
disposition.  To  facilitate  the  student  in  his  examina- 
tions, I  here  subjoin  a  synopsis  of  the  physical  character- 
istics or  points,  which  should  be  found  in  animals  of 
either  sex  of  the  finest  types,  and  belonging  to  the  first 
orders  of  their  respective  classes.  The  order  followed, 
is  that  usually  observed  in  the  examination  of  the  animal. 


116  MILCH    COWS. 

POINTS    OF     THE    HANDSOME    TYPE. 

1. — Skin  of  tlie  color  most  esteemed  in  the  particular 
breed. 

2. — Size  proi)ortionate. 

3. — Escutcheon  of  the  first  order. 

4. — Epidermis  of  escutcheon  fine  and  yellowish. 

5. — Udder  round,  well  shaped,  and  teats  regular. 

6. — Spine  straight  and  level. 

7. — Bones  slender. 

8. — The  whole  hide  thin  and  flexible. 

9. — Loins  wide. 
10. — Haunches  not  too  prominent. 
11. — Tail  well  set  on,  thick  at  the  root,  and  slender  at 
the  switch. 

12. — Croupe  neither  too  high  nor  too  low. 

13. — Buttocks  round. 

14. — Thighs  low  and  muscular. 

15. — Sides   round. 

16. — Flanks  narrow. 

17. — Shoulders  wide. 

18. — Dewlap  of  medium  size. 

19. — Chest  large,  deep,  and  well  rounded. 

20. — Neck  short  and  of  medium  thickness. 

21. — Head  short  and  square. 

22. — Ears  of  medium  size  and  hairy  within. 

23. — Eyes  large  and  j^rominent. 

24. — Horns  medium. 

25. — Tuft  between  the  horns  not  too  hairy. 

26. — Nostrils  wide. 

27. — Muzzle  short  and  a  little  turned  up. 

28. — Lips  rather  thin. 

29. — Houghs  flat,  wide,  not  too  much  arched  backward. 

30. — Legs  fine  and  straight. 

31. — False  hoofs  short. 

32. — Feet  round. 


CHAPTEE  III. 
THE      "MANETS,"    OR    FATTY  LUMPS. 


Summary.— Description  of  the  Manets.— The  shoulder-vein.— The  fore- 
thigh.— The  fore-udder.— The  mid-butlock.— The  scrotum.— The 
-pelvic  margin.— Tlie  collar-vein.— The  chest.— The  rib.— The 
flank.— The  loin.— The  haunch.— The  neck-vein.— The  earlet.— 
The  under-jaw— General  remarks. 


THE    MANETS. 

These  are  agglomerations  of  fat,  of  various  forms,  em- 
bedded in  the  subcutaneous  cellular  tissue.  They  may 
be  soft  or  hard,  fixed  or  moyable.  Each  has  a  certain 
signification  of  value  in  estimating  the  aptitude  of  an  ani- 
mal for  fattening,  and  its  existing  condition  of  fat.  Al- 
though animals  bred  under  similar  circumstances  may 
present,  at  a  first  inspection,  no  differences  of  form,  yet  an 
examination  of  these  manets  may  point  out  to  us  great 
differences,  or  enable  us  to  rectify  an  erroneous  judg- 
ment. An  animal  may  be  lean  and  bony,  and  yet  be 
well  adapted  for  fattening,  while  another  has  a  fleshy  ap- 
pearance, and  yet  is  of  poor  quality  when  slaughtered. 
As  a  general  rule,  the  primitive  races  which  have  fur- 
nished the  original  types  of  each  class,  have  an  aptitude 
for  fattening;  nevertheless  we  meet  in  all  breeds  ani- 
mals which  are  exceptionally  well  or  ill  fitted  to  take  on 
fat.  The  germ  of  the  tendency  to  fatten  exists  in  the 
cellular  tissues,  which  lie  between  the  skin  and  the  flesh, 
and  extend  inwardly  into  the  less  muscular  parts  of  the 
animal.  In  these  tissues  are  formed  lumps,  or  agglom- 
erations of  fat,  technically  called  ''manets.-'  They  are  of 
(117) 


118  MILCH    COWS. 

various  forms  and  thicknesses,  some  ronnd,  others  flat  or 
elongated,  and  they  vary  m  thickness  according  to  the 
greater  or  less  fatness  of  the  animal,  and  its  greater  or 
less  tendency  to  take  on  fat. 

Those  animals  which  will  yield  tender,  fat,  and  juicy- 
meat,  have  a  thin  skin,  and  dappled,  fine,  and  short  hair. 
The  flesh  below  shows  through  the  delicate  skin,  and 
sometimes  presents  as  appetizing  an  appearance  as  a 
freshly  gathered  peach.  Those,  on  the  contraiw,  whose 
tissues  do  not  form  fat,  have  a  dry,  hard,  and  thick  skinj 
their  meat  is  dry,  tough,  and  less  nutritious.  The  pres- 
ence of  the  manets,  however  small  they  may  be,  is  a  test 
of  the  superiority  of  the  animal,  and  they  may  easily  be 
detected  under  the  skin,  by  compressing  it  with  the  tips 
of  the  fingers.  As  they  develop  in  proportion  to  the  in- 
crease of  fat,  it  is  easy  to  determine  by  comparison  those 
animals  which  will  fatten  most  readily.  As  an  example, 
I  will  suppose  an  individual  of  medium  fatness,  and  the 
manet  to  be  examined,  to  be  that  which  T  call  the  shoul- 
der-vein. 

This  can  be  detected  as  soon  as  it  is  formed ;  even  when 
no  thicker  than  a  bit  of  twine,  it  can  be  felt  to  roll 
between  the  skin  and  the  flesh;  and  will  perceptibly  grow 
as  the  animal  fattens.  When  it  has  reached  the  thick- 
ness of  the  little  finger,  we  may  be  sure  that  the  flesh  is 
of  good  quality  ;  if  it  enlarges  still  further,  to  the  thick- 
ness of  the  thumb,  or  thicker,  the  improvement  is  still 
greater,  and  the  meat  will  be,  both  as  to  quantity  and 
quality,  all  that  can  be  desired. 


THE   MANETS,    OR   FATTY   LUMPS. 


119 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  MANETS. 


The  entire  number  of  these  manets  is  fifteen,  viz. : 

1. — The  Shoulder- vein  Manet. 

2.— The  Fore-Thigh  Manet. 

3.— The  Fore-Udder  Manet. 

4.— The  Mid-Buttock  Manet. 

5. — The  Scrotum  Manet. 

6.— The  Pelvic  Basin  Manet. 

7.— The  Collar-yein  Manet. 

8.— The  Chest  Manet. 

9.— The  Side  Manet. 
10.— The  Flank  Manet. 
11.— The  Loin  Manet. 
12.— The  Haunch  Manet. 
13.— The  Neck-vein  Manet. 
14.— The  Earlet  Manet. 
15. — The  Under- Jaw  Manet. 

The  most  important  of  these  on  the  cow  are  Nos.  1,  2, 
3,  4,  and  6.  On  the  bullock,  Nos.  1,  2,  5,  and  6.  Upon 
these  we  chiefly  found  our  judgment,  the  others  have 
but  a  secondary  value  in  confirming  their  indications. 


120  MILCH    COWS. 

1.— THE    SHOULDER-YEIN. 

This  is  found  upon  the  shoulder-blade,  near  its  upper 
posterior  margin,  and  descends  vertically  as  far  as  the 
joint  of  the  leg.  It  is  flexible,  rather  long  than  round, 
and  can  be  felt  by  pressing  with  the  fingers.  That  on 
the  left  is  usually  longer  than  the  other.  (In  comparing 
animals,  the  same  sides  should  be  examined.)  On  steers 
or  cows  of  the  first  quality,  it  seems  to  the  touch  to  have 
a  thickness  of  about  five  centimetres  (2  in.),  of  three 
(1.2  in.)  on  those  of  second  quality,  and  one  (0.4  in.)  on 
the  third.    On  lean  animals  it  is  not  easily  distinguished. 

2.— THE   FORE-THIGH. 

This  is  flexible  to  tlie  touch,  and  is  found  on  both  sides, 
that  on  the  right  being  the  larger.  It  is  situated  on  the 
fore-part  of  the  thigh,  in  the  fold  of  skin  that  joins  the 
belly,  and  extends  upon  the  belly  at  the  lower  part  of  the 
flank.  It  is  rather  flat  than  round.  In  a  fat  animal  it 
can  be  distinctly  seen  in  walking.  When  the  leg  is 
brought  forward,  it  rises  under  the  skin  like  a  ball ;  but 
the  thickness  can  best  be  determined  by  grasping  it.  The 
fatness  of  the  animal  will  always  be  in  proportion  to  its 
thickness.  In  large  animals  in  fine  condition  it  has  three 
decimetres  (12  in.)  in  length,  two  (8  in.)  in  width,  and 
one  (4  in.)  in  thickness.  In  animals  of  second  and  third 
quality,  it  will  have  two-thirds  and  one-third  of  these 
dimensions. 

3.— THE  FORE-UDDER. 

This  is  only  found  upon  cows :  it  is  situated  on  the  belly, 
between  the  navel  and  the  udder,  to  which  it  adheres. 
It  is  flexible,  flat,  and  rounded  a  little  in  the  middle. 
Its  size,  for  the  first  quality,  is  two  to  three  decimetres 
(8  to  12  in.)  long,  by  two  and  one-half  (10  in.)  wdde,  and 
one  (4  in. )  thick.  In  animals  of  second  and  third  qual- 
ity, it  is  one-third  and  tw^o-thirds  smaller. 


THE    MANETS,    OR    FATTY    LUMPS.  121 

4.— THE   MID-BUTTOCK. 

This  also  is  peculiar  to  females  :  it  is  situated  at  the 
juncture  of  the  thighs,  between  the  buttocks,  and  rises 
vertically  to  the  vulva.  Its  form  is  that  of  a  cord,  and  it 
is  flexible  when  the  animal  is  about  half-fattened.  On  a 
fat  cow  it  is  firm  and  hard,  and  if  compressed  transversely, 
gives  a  thickness  of  from  seven  to  eight  centimetres  (2.8 
to  3.2  in.)  for  the  first  quality,  four  to  five  (1.6  to  2  m.) 
for  the  second,  and  one  to  two  (0.4  to  0.8  in.)  for  the  third. 

5.— THE    SCROTUM. 

This  is  the  manefc  which  should  first  be  looked  for  in 
the  examination  of  bullocks. 

Those  animals  which  have  had  the  spermatic  cords  cut 
{le  bistouniage),  have  testicles  about 
the  size  of  a  walnut,  embedded  m  a 
mass  of  fat,  which  is  full,  hard,  and 
firm  in  beeves  of  the  first  quality. 
Those  in  which  the  scrotum  hangs 
low,  approaching  near  the  houghs, 
are  preferred.  Animals  castrated  by 
removal  of  the  testicles,  have  the 
juncture  of  the  thighs  placed  higher 
up.  With  them  this  manet  is  neither 
so  large  nor  so  low,  and  to  determine 
its  volume,  it  must  be  grasped  in  the  hand.  The  quality  of 
the  animal  will  be  in  proportion  to  its  size  and  firmness. 

6.— THE    PELVIC    MARGIN. 

This  occupies  the  space  on  each  side  of  the  root  of  the 
tail;  it  is  rather  flat  than  round,  and  must  be  felt  to  be 
estimated.  In  animals  of  the  first  quality  it  has  a  thick- 
ness of  a  decimeter  (4  in.),  in  the  second,  six  centi- 
metres (2.4  in.),  and  in  the  third,  two  to  three  centi- 
metres (0.8  to  1.2  in.).  It  indicates  the  quantity  of  sub- 
cutaneous fat. 
6 


122  MILCH   COWS. 

7.— TUE    COLLAR- VEIN. 

This  is  flexible  and  rolling;  it  is  situated  at  the  upper 
front  margin  of  the  shoulder,  and  forms  a  kind  of  round 
vein,  in  a  vertical  position,  of  from  two  to  three  deci- 
metres (8  to  12  in.)  in  length.  It  is  judged  by  com- 
pressing it  crosswise  in  the  middle,  and  for  the  first  qual- 
ity should  have  a  thickness  of  from  four  to  five  centi- 
metres (1.6  to  2  in.),  for  the  second,  a  third  less,  and  for 
the  third  quality,  two-thirds  less.  It  indicates  the 
quantity  of  internal  fat. 

8.— THE    CHEST. 

This  is  found  on  the  bony  part  of  the  sternum  or 
brisket,  in  front,  between  the  forelegs.  It  is  always 
formed  of  firm  fat,  and  indicates  the  general  plumpness  of 
the  animal.  The  thickness  for  the  first  quality  is  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  centimetres  (4.8  to  6  in.),  for  the  sec- 
ond, from  eight  to  nine  (3.2  to  3.6  in.),  and  for  the 
third,  from  three  to  four  (1.2  to  1.6  in.). 

9. — THE  RIB. 

This  is  flat,  and  placed  on  the  last  false  ribs,  near  the 
flank.  Its  thickness  for  the  first  and  second  qualities  is 
two  centimetres  (0.8  in.)  and  one  centimetre  (0.4  in.), 
on  the  third  it  is  scarcely  perceptible. 

10.— THE  FLANK. 

This,  called  "  the  crust"  by  butchers,  forms  a  layer  of 
fat  between  the  -skin  and  flesh,  and  is  characterized  by 
small,  soft,  flat  pellets  of  fat,  rather  long  than  round.  It 
can  be  perceived  by  the  undulating  surface  of  the  skin 
above  it,  and  denotes  the  general  state  of  plumpness.  Its 
thickness  is,  for  the  respective  qualities,  two  to  three 
centimetres  (0.8  to  1.2  in.),  one  and  a  half  (0.6  in.),  and 
one-half  (0.2  in.). 


THE   MAKETS,    OR   FATTY   LUMPS.  123 

11.— THE    LOIN. 

This  manet,  between  the  loins  and  the  sides,  presents 
a  firm  surface,  called  ''the  fat  pavement"  by  butchers. 
On  pinching  between  the  tips  of  the  fingers,  it  presents  a 
thickness  of  two  centimetres  (0.8  in.)  for  the  first  quality. 

13.— THE    HAUNCH. 

This  is  firm  to  the  touch,  and  is  found  on  the  project- 
ing part  of  the  haunch,  between  the  skin  and  the  bone. 
For  the  first  quality  it  shows  a  thickness  of  two  and  a  half 
centimetres  (1  in.). 

13.— THE    NECK- VEIN. 

This  lies  along  the  jugular  vein,  and  presents  a  sort  of 
loose  cord,  which  easily  rolls  under  the  fingers.  For  the 
first  quality  it  has  a  thickness  of  from  four  to  five  centi- 
metres (1.6  to  2  in.),  for  the  second,  from  two  to  three 
(0.8  to  1.2  m.),  and  for  the  third,  from  one  to  two  (0.4  to 
0.8  in.).     It  denotes  internal  fat. 

14. — THE    EARLET. 

This  is  short  and  of  oval  form,  lying  between  the  ear 
and  the  horn.  It  rolls  loosely  about  under  the  skin,  and 
may  be  compressed  between  the  thumb  and  finger.  For 
the  first  quality,  it  shows  five  to  six  centimetres  (2  to  2.4 
in.)  thickness,  two  to  three  (0.8  to  1.2  in.)  for  the  sec- 
ond, and  one  (0.4  in.)  for  the  third. 

15.— THE   UNDER- JAW. 

This  is  rather  long  than  round,  and  lies  in  the  bifurca- 
tion of  the  lower  jaw.  It  may  be  felt  crosswise  with  the 
fingers.  Its  thickness  for  the  first  quality  is  four  to  five 
centimetres  (1.6  to  2  in.),  three  (1.2  in.)  for  the  second, 
and  one  (0.4  in.)  for  the  third. 


124  MiLcn  cows. 

GENERAL  REMARKS. 

The  size  of  the  manets  is  proportioned  to  the  fatness  of 
the  animal.  Those  which  are  firmest  to  the  touch,  indi- 
cate the  finest  quality  of  meat  and  greatest  abundance  of 
suet. 

"Whatever  may  be  the  size,  the  age,  and  the  weight, 
cows  and  beeves  of  the  first  quality  will  give  about  four- 
teen to  sixteen  kilogrammes  of  tallow  to  the  hundred 
kilogrammes  of  clear  meat,  the  second  quality  from  eight 
to  ten,  and  the  third  from  three  to  four.  In  this  estimate 
I  refer  to  the  fat  of  the  belly  and  intestines,  not  including 
the  kidney-fat,  which  always  goes  Avith  the  hindquarters. 

Bulls,  as  a  rule,  furnish  a  coarse  and  leathery  meat, 
and  have  but  little  internal  fat.  The  meat  of  fat  heifers 
of  from  two  to  three  years  and  a  half,  is  usually  of  excel- 
lent quality;  while  at  this  age  that  of  male  animals  is 
much  inferior.  The  male  does  not  attain  his  full  devel- 
opment and  perfect  qualities  until  from  six  to  eleven 
years.  But  it  is  not  only  sufficient  that  an  animal  should 
be  fat,  its  fat  and  suet  should  be  white,  to  make  it  of  the 
first  quality. 

Those  animals  will  give  white  fat  which  have  the  epi- 
dermis of  the  whole  body  white,  or  cafe-au-lait  color; 
while  those  that  show  a  yellow  or  pale  orange  epidermis 
will  yield  yellow  fat.  These  colors  sometimes  depend 
upon  the  feeding;  but  in  most  cases  they  arise  from  the 
nature  of  the  animal  itself. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
DOCILITY  OF  DISPOSITION. 

By  persistent  and  intelligent  action,  man  has  succeeded 
in  domesticating  various  animals,  among  which  the 
bovine  species  stands  in  the  first  rank,  of  which  he  has 
made  a  most  valuable  coadjutor  in  his  toilsome  labors, 
and  a  precious  source  of  supply  of  his  daily  food.  Buffon 
said,  long  ago:  ^^  Without  the  bovine  species,  both  poor 
and  rich  would  find  it  difficult  to  live  :  without  it  the 
land  would  lie  untilled,  upon  it  fall  the  hardest  labors  of 
agriculture.  It  is  the  most  useful  laborer  on  the  farm, 
the  main  support  of  the  rustic  household,  the  principal 
force  in  agriculture,  and  the  chief  resource  of  a  nation." 

But  cow  and  bull  can  not  serve  man  perfectly,  nor  ful- 
fill all  his  expectations,  unless  in  addition  to  the  three 
other  qualities  which  I  have  dwelt  upon,  they  possess  a 
fourth  :  docility  of  disposition. 

Like  other  creatures,  these  animals  are  born  not  only 
with  good  qualities,  but  also  with  defects,  which,  happily 
in  most  cases,  can  be  overcome.  Their  education  must 
begin  at  an  early  age;  good  and  careful  treatment  will 
improve  their  disposition,  but  will  not  always  entirely 
reform  it.  To  attain  this  object  great  firmness  and  great 
gentleness  are  both  necessary.  Ill  treatment  generally 
results  in  rendering  the  animals  ill-tempered,  wild,  or 
fierce.  Some  animals  which  have  been  subdued  by  a  firm 
will,  will  only  submit  to  the  master  who  has  conquered 
them,  Avhile  in  any  other  hands  they  are  insubordinate 
and  wild.  Their  natural  disposition  has  been  restrained, 
but  not  changed,  and  under  altered  conditions  it  shows 
in  full  force. 

The  male  is  naturally  more  intractable  than  the  female, 
and  at  the  rutting-time  he  often  becomes  unmanageable, 
and  even  fierce,  and  this  disposition  increases  with  age. 
(125) 


126  MILCH   COWS. 

To  subdue  him,  man  has  recourse  to  one  of  the  modes  of 
emasculation  (castration  ou  Mstournage),  after  which  the 
animal  becomes  tractable,  obedient,  and  fit  for  work. 


CHAPTER  V. 

MEANS    OF    RECOGNIZING    THE    AGE    OF    CATTLE. 

Summary.— The  Teeth.— The  Horns, 
THE    TEETH. 

All  the  animals  of  this  species  are  born  with  incisors, 
called  '^  milk-teeth,"  which  fall  and  are  renewed  at  the 
periods  which  I  shall  mention.  Calves  born  toothless 
are  premature. 

Bovine  animals  have  thirty- two  teeth,  of  which  twenty- 
four  are  grinding- teeth,  or  molars,  and  eight  are  cutting- 
teeth,  or  incisors. 

The  molars  serve  for  grinding  the  food  in  eating  and  in 
rumination ;  they  are  regularly  distributed  in  four  groups 
of  six  each,  solidly  planted.  Two  of  these  groups  of 
molars  form  the  entire  dentition  of  the  upper  jaw,  in  which 
there  are  no  incisors,  but  their  place  is  filled  by  a  mass 
of  elastic  cartilage  forming  a  firm  pad.  The  two  other 
groups  occupy  the  back  of  the  lower  jaw,  and  are 
separated  by  a  space  of  about  four  inches,  in  which  are 
planted  the  incisors. 

The  eight  incisors  in  the  front  part  of  the  lower  jaw 
complete  the  dentition.  They  are  grouped  in  a  semi- 
circle, the  middle  ones  being  somewhat  higher  than  those 
at  the  extremities.  They  are  usually  rather  loose  in  the 
jaw,  having  but  a  single  root. 


RECOGNIZIJ^G   THE   AGE   OF   CATTLE.  127 

At  from  two  to  two  and  a  half  years,  the  central 
incisors  are  lost,  and  replaced  by  the  permanent  teeth. 
From  this  time  to  three  years,  the  two  adjoining  teeth 
are  lost;  six  months  later,  the  third  incisors  of  each  side; 
and  at  about  four  years  the  corner  ones,  all  being  re- 
placed as  they  fall  by  the  permanent  teeth.  It  happens 
sometimes,  but  rarely,  that  the  corner  incisors  are  not 
lost. 

When  the  permanent  incisors  have  all  appeared,  the 
animal  is  rising  five  years.  The  molars  of  both  jaws  have 
been  lost  at  about  the  same  time,  the  four  corresponding 
ones  falling  together,  and  being  replaced  by  new  ones. 
During  this  second  dentition,  and  especially  when  cutting 
the  permanent  molars,  the  animal  suffers  more  or  less 
and  eats  with  difficulty.  It  is  well,  if  the  suffering  seems 
severe,  or  continues  long,  to  have  the  loose  tooth  extracted 
by  a  skillful  hand. 

At  five  years,  the  teeth  are  usually  complete  and  regu- 
lar, the  incisors  forming  a  semicircle,  of  which  the  corner 
teeth  are  lower  than  those  of  the  center.  The  upper  sur- 
face of  the  tooth  presents  a  sharp,  projecting  ring  of 
enamel.  After  seven  or  eight  years  this  symmetry  is 
altered,  the  central  incisors  wearing  down  to  about  the 
height  of  the  corners.  After  nine  years,  the  enamel  ring 
is  worn  down,  the  angles  of  the  teeth  show  attrition,  and 
the  forms  grow  rounder.  At  from  ten  to  twelve  years, 
spaces  begin  to  show  between  the  teeth.  At  from  four- 
teen to  seventeen  they  are  worn  down  to  the  roots,  leav- 
ing wide  interstices;  the  alveolar  processes  begin  to  be 
absorbed,  and  the  teeth  grow  loose. 

The  rapidity  of  these  changes  depends  to  some  degree 
upon  the  mode  of  life  and  the  food  of  the  animal.  In 
heaths  and  sandy  land  the  teeth  wear  out  much  faster, 
and  animals  raised  in  them  may  have  the  teeth  quite  worn 
away  before  they  are  old.  In  fertile  pasturages,  the  teeth 
are  preserved  longer;  but  the  dryness  and  perishing  of 


128  :»iiLCH  cows. 

the  ivory  occur  at  the  ages  above  mentioned.  When  the 
incisors  begin  to  fall,  the  animals  have  difficulty  in  graz- 
ing, and  if  intended  for  fattening,  must  be  fed  in  the 
stall.  Similar  inconveniences  follow  the  loss  of  one  or 
more  molars  :  the  animal  grinds  its  food  with  difficulty, 
and  the  jaw  becomes  more  or  less  deformed. 

Animals  of  this  species  are  also  subject  to  '^  wolf- 
teeth,"  which  term  is  applied  to  teeth  (usually  the  second 
molars)  which  grow  long  and  pointed,  interfering  with 
the  closure  of  the  jaws  and  hindering  mastication.  Ani- 
mals thus  affected  feed  with  difficulty,  and  are  apt  to 
pine  away.  The  position  of  these  teeth  makes  it  difficult 
to  inspect  them  ;  but  when  discovered,  the  tooth  should 
be  cut  or  snapped  off  to  the  level  of  the  rest. 

The  tongue  also  plays  its  part  in  feeding,  gathering  in 
the  herbage  to  the  mouth,  Avhere  the  incisors  cut  it  off 
by  pressure  of  their  edges  against  the  pad. 

THE    HORNS. 

In  animals  which  have  reached  the  age  of  three  years, 
the  horn  has  a  ridge  or  ring  at  the  base,  and  a  new  one  is 
formed  every  year  below  the  old  one.  But  the  number  of 
these  rings  can  not  be  relied  upon  in  estimating  the  age, 
as  it  sometimes  happens  that  in  an  old  animal  these  rings 
are  so  blended  that  they  can  not  be  counted.  In  youth 
the  horns  are  thickest  at  the  base,  and  taper  to  a  point; 
but  when  the  animal  has  reached  eight  or  ten  years,  a  nar- 
rowing often  takes  place  at  tlie  base,  obliterating  several 
rings.  This  is  often  the  case  with  animals  used  for  labor, 
as  the  pressure  of  the  yoke  and  the  friction  of  the  parts 
which  attach  it  to  the  horns,  wear  away  the  rings.  The 
appearance  of  the  horns  is  therefore  a  much  more  uncer- 
tain guide  than  that  of  the  teeth,  in  estimating  age; 
still,  it  should  not  be  entirely  neglected. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  FEET. 

The  form  of  the  feet  is  an  indication  of  the  nature  of 
the  place  in  which  the  animal  has  been  reared.  In  stony 
regions  the  hoof  grows  round,  and  wears  away;  on  the 
contrary  in  soft,  moist,  and  marshy  districts,  the  hoofs 
lengthen  and  flatten  out,  and  the  same  effect  is  produced 
by  confinement  to  the  stable.  The  round  hoof  is  a  very 
desirable  quality. 

The  false  hoofs,  commonly  called  ^^ spurs"  {onglons), 
when  short,  indicate  that  the  young  animal  has  a  ten- 
dency to  grow  very  large.  If  they  are  long  or  deformed,  it 
shows  that  the  animal  has  been  raised  in  the  stable,  and 
will  not  readily  accommodate  itself  to  work  or  an  open- 
air  life. 

Continued  stall-feeding  renders  the  feet  so  tender  that 
after  some  years  the  animal  can  take  no  exercise,  nor  even 
comfortably  wander  over  the  pasture.  The  foot  grows 
long  and  thick,  and  the  creature  is  entirely  unfitted  for 
work  or  for  driving  to  any  distance. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


ON  THE  CHOICE  OF  COWS. 


The  intending  purchaser  of  a  cow  must  be  on  his  guard 
against  a  great  variety  of  frauds  and  deceptions.  When 
he  has  found  an  animal  whose  size,  general  figure,  and 
color  suit  him,  he  should  then  examine  the  escutcheon, 
see  to  what  class  she  belongs,  and  if  she  possesses  the 
marks  distinguishing  the  higher  oi4ers  of  the  class.  Care 
(129) 


130  MILCH   COWS. 

must  be  taken  not  to  be  deceived  by  a  false  escutcheon, 
as  dealers  sometimes  shave  the  hair  from  a  part  of  the 
thighs  and  udder,  so  as  to  give  an  escutcheon  of  a  low 
order  the  apj^earance  of  a  higher.  The  yellowish  or  nan- 
keen color  is  often  imitated  by  staining  the  skin. 

If  the  cow  is  with  calf,  the  buyer  should  see  if  she  still 
gives  milk,  and  satisfy  himself  of  the  length  of  time  she 
has  been  pregnant.  If  she  be  fresh,  he  must  satisfy  him- 
self of  the  time  elapsed  since  calving,  if  the  delivery  was 
satisfactory,  and  if  there  has  been  no  inversion  of  the 
womb. 

These  examinations  made,  he  can  bargain  for  the  price, 
and  when  a  sum  has  been  named  which  he  is  willing  to 
give,  he  has  a  right  to  proceed  to  a  more  minute  exam- 
ination. He  should  make  the  cow  walk  before  him,  to 
see  that  her  gait  is  e&sy  and  free.  He  should  examine  the 
muzzle,  to  see  if  it  is  moist  and  dewy,  which  is  a  sign  of 
good  health.  He  should  open  the  mouth,  to  verify  the  age 
by  the  teeth,  and  to  see  that  there  are  no  aphthse  or 
ulcerations  at  the  base  of  the  tongue.  He  should  notice 
if  the  breath  is  fresh  and  pure.  Examine  the  eyes,  to  see 
if  no  humors  are  running  from  them,  if  there  are  no 
specks  on  the  cornea,  if  the  vessels  are  not  blood-shot,  if 
the  pupil  contracts,  and  the  eyelids  close  readily. 

He  should  examine  the  horns,  to  see  if  they  are  solid 
and  have  not  been  stained  or  operated  on  to  conceal  the 
marks  of  age.  In  the  case  of  an  animal  intended  for 
work,  he  should  see  that  there  are  no  wounds  nor  bruises 
on  the  nape  of  the  neck  or  between  the  horns.  He  should 
also  examine  tho  forelegs,  to  make  sure  that  there  are  no 
tumors,  soft  or  hard,  upon  them,  that  the  false  hoofs  are 
sound,  and  that  there  is  no  exudation  in  the  space  be- 
tween them,  nor  in  the  folds  of  the  pastern. 

He  will  see  if  the  hair  is  soft,  the  skin  flexible  and 
loose  from  the  muscles.  He  will  trace  down  all  the  ribs 
and  false  ribs,  to  see  if  there  be  any  sign  of  wounds  or 


ON  THE   CHOICE   OF   COWS.  131 

of  costal  or  umbilical  hernias.  Coming  to  the  hind-quar- 
ters, he  will  examine  if  the  udder  be  elastic  and  fleshy.  If 
the  teats  are  well  shaped,  not  too  near,  and  separated  by 
regular  intervals.  If  the  ^'fountains"  (cavities  at  the 
termination  of  the  milk-veins)  and  the  milk-veins  are 
long,  w^ll-marked,  and  the  latter  tortuous.  He  will  ex- 
amine the  vulva  for  ulcerations,  and  the  hindlegs,  as 
before  he  examined  the  forelegs. 

I  advise  persons  desirous  of  buying  a  milch  cow  to 
choose  one  nearly  ready  to  calve,  rather  than  one  that  is 
milking,  as  in  the  latter  case  there  are  more  oppor- 
tunities for  deception.  The  udder  of  milch-cows  offered 
for  sale  often  appears  of  great  size,  when  this  is  merely 
the  result  of  leaving  tlie  cows  un milked  for  twenty-four 
hours;  thus  not  only  deceiving  the  buyer,  but  often  injur- 
ing the  animal,  or  diminishing  its  regular  yield  of  milk, 
which  is  not  recovered  until  a  new  calving,  and  some- 
times not  even  then,  if  inflammation  of  the  udder  has 
resulted  from  this  cruel  trick. 

If  the  system  of  examination  which  I  have  recommended 
be  carefully  carried  out,  the  buyer  can  hardly  be  deceived 
very  grossly,  and  will  in  all  probability,  even  without 
previous  experience,  be  able  to  select  a  good  cow. 


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